MotoGP - Arm pump! Pedro Acosta undergoes surgery: Medical check necessary before MotoGP start in Le Mans

MotoGP 's widespread disease has struck again. After the Spanish GP in Jerez , Pedro Acosta had to go under the knife for arm pump.

"Pedro Acosta underwent successful surgery on his right forearm this evening to treat chronic compartment syndrome. He will remain under observation for 24 hours and is expected to return to the French GP next week, subject to a medical assessment," KTM announced on Tuesday evening. A start at Le Mans is therefore targeted, but not yet confirmed. Typically, two weeks are estimated as a rest period after such a surgery, but many riders have already proven that it is possible to return sooner.

In chronic compartment syndrome, known in the paddock as arm pump, the muscles in a confined space (compartment) cannot expand sufficiently, leading to increased pressure, pain, and numbness because blood cannot circulate properly. In motorcycle racing, this condition occurs in the forearm when riders tense their muscles when gripping the handlebars tightly.

Often, pilots try to manage the problem with physical therapy, or simply tolerate it at a lower intensity. In some cases, however, only surgery, such as the one Acosta underwent, helps. This involves a minor surgical procedure on the forearm to relieve the pressure. The operation usually takes less than 15 minutes.

Arm pump problems are nothing new on the stop-and-go Jerez circuit. Rookie Somkiat Chantra also suffered from the phenomenon last weekend and was even forced to retire from Sunday's race as a result. Further proof of the strain on the arms on modern MotoGP machines.