Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) underwent a successful operation on his left arm on Thursday afternoon at the Hospital Universitario Dexeus in Barcelona, which was required after the South African had experienced discomfort in the radial fracture he had been treated for before the start of the season. The discomfort felt at the Argentinian GP led to him being examined at the circuit medical centre, where it was confirmed that the bone continued to be broken and that the plate applied had moved. The procedure on Thursday, lasting 120 minutes, was undertaken by Dr. Xavier Mir and his team.
The original injury occurred in a crash for the reigning Moto3™ World Champion during preason Moto2™ testing in Valencia last November, and Binder was operated on by Dr. Mir that same week in Barcelona - followed by a further operation in South Africa at the start of this year.
Dr. Mir is the Head of Surgery and Microsurgery of the Upper Extremities at the Hospital Universitario Dexeus; and Head of Traumotology for MotoGP:
Dr Xavier Mir: "Today we operated on Brad Binder, who had suffered a loosening of the plate on his left forearm. The operation consisted of three phases: The first, removing the old plate, which had lost the pronator axis. Secondly, we placed a new plate with the correct axis of the radius, so that it could do twisting movements; Finally, a graft removed from his arm to wrap around the old fracture and ensure that the bone heals as soon as possible. He will remain in hospital for between 24 and 48 hours and we believe that he will be able to begin recovery exercises in three weeks."
Despite the problems experienced in the race last Sunday, Binder was able to place in the Top 10 at Termas de Rio Hondo in a heroic ride to P9. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider will now be unable to participate in the Grand Prix of the Americas, and the evolution of the injury will decide his return date.