Honda MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa has 'aggressive' arm surgery

Pedrosa admitted after struggling to fifth in last weekend's Qatar Grand Prix that the condition was beginning to put his career in jeopardy.

He had been advised against further surgery after his most recent operation in May last year, but decided to go ahead with a new operation led by Dr Angel Villamor of iQtra Medicina Avanzada in Madrid on Friday.

The fascia around the muscle in Pedrosa's arm was completely removed during the two-hour surgery.

"The surgery was complicated and aggressive using a microsurgery technique and microscopic lens," Dr Villamor explained.

"It lasted two hours, and was done under a local anaesthetic.

"We examined the muscle fascia, which were hypertrophied and had to be opened up and released.

"The muscle fascia has been dissected and removed from the forearm.

"This increased volume engorged the muscle within the inelastic fascia resulting in increased pressure within the compartment, and causing a painful condition of oxygen deprivation - thus causing intense pain in the forearm which collapsed after exercising during riding.

"We will now monitor Dani over the next few weeks to measure the success of this surgery."

Pedrosa has been ruled out of racing for at least four to six weeks, meaning he will definitely miss the Austin and Termas de Rio Hondo MotoGP rounds, and potentially Jerez and Le Mans too.

His return to racing depends on when Dr Villamor "can ascertain the success of the surgery", according to a Honda statement.

HRC test driver Hiroshi Aoyama will return to the MotoGP grid to take Pedrosa's place alongside Marc Marquez for at least the next two rounds.