Written by 23 DegreesThe latest news is all good news as Matti ends his 2nd day in hospital. The doctors have confirmed that there is no risk of paralysis and that a decision on whether or not to operate, will be taken on Monday.
Today Matti had his catheter removed, was able to sit up for a small time and eat, and with the assistance of a special walking crutch/frame, was able to walk(!) a short distance to the bathroom. Matti had a non-stop run of visitors today during visitor hours, starting with his parents, followed by dozens of friends. His mobile phone was handed back, and it had more than 100 SMS messages from the past 24 hours. All of this is helping Matti remain positive and determined to get back on his feet properly.
While talking to Matti today, more details came to light about the accident.”I landed directly onto my head, but slightly to the right. The helmet is marked on the top at the right. Also I have a big skin abrasion on my right collarbone where the jawline of the helmet cut me, that’s how far over my head was. The doctors feel that on impact my spine twisted one way, and then the next, like a zig zag, and they say it’s a miracle it’s not a lot worse. The three vertebrae have what they call a compressed fracture. They are in the area of the spine that are level with the chest. I’m still in pain but can breathe fairly comfortably, but I want to thank everyone who has contacted me with nice messages, it makes you realise how lucky you are to have so many friends and people that care, and that makes me want to get better as soon as possible.”The doctors are predicting that with or without the operation, Matti will remain hospitalised for another 2 or 3 weeks, then start 3 months of rehabilitation. It will be a further couple of months before he can expect to put any regular athletic demands on his back again.We hope to have another update on Monday.
Original PR:
While training and filming with a friend in Helsinki yesterday, MattiLehikoinen had an accident that resulted in breaking his back.Matti was immediately transferred to hospital where a series of scans haveconfirmed 3 fractured vertabrae.He has movement in all limbs and is not feeling any numbness, and so atthis point, the prognosis for a full recovery is looking very good. Thedoctors are meeting today to decide what the next step will be, insofar asan operation or other courses of action.”I spoke to Matti for 10 minutes this morning. He’s in a lot of pain, but heis remaining completely positive. He told me that he went to go off a verysmall drop off, about a meter high, on his home trails when something caughthis rear wheel just as his front wheel left the drop off. The bike pitchedsuddenly forward and threw him over the handlebars onto his back. He knewimmediately that he had suffered a severe injury, and remained still as hismate called for the ambulance. Right now all we can do is wait for moreinformation from the medical experts, and support Matti, and his family whohave been very shocked by this news,” – Martin Whiteley.Poeple wishing to send Matti a message can do so through his web sitewww.mattilehikoinen.com and we know he will really appreciate hearing fromeveryone once he can have access to his phone and computer again, but fornow, the focus is on keeping him comfortable, and getting the prognosis weall want to hear.The MS- RACING crew wishes you a quick recovery- get well soon buddy!
