The Swede suffered a herniated disc at the turn of September/October and received a cortisone injection to keep it at bay, but since then it has gotten worse and worse with radiation down the foot.
After the first practice run before the speed races in Bormio, Italy, this week, an MRI scan was done and this morning Monsén was given emergency surgery time on Thursday.
– They will go in and remove the part of the disc that bulges out and presses on the nerve, says Monsén from a sick bed at Sanatorium Kettenbrücke in Innsbruck where he is being prepared for the operation.
“It’s very difficult right now”
How long is rehab needed after an operation like this?
– We are talking about around eight weeks. Unfortunately, it is the World Cup season, says a subdued Monsén.
Given your serious injuries, how do you keep your spirits up?
– It’s very difficult right now, but I’m keeping my spirits up and I have a great team around me and I’ve had good motivation in the last few hours. I try to see the positive and the idea is to continue. This is just a notch in the curve, says Monsén.