Factory
Connection's Mike LaRocco Out 6 to 8 Weeks
Following Wrist Surgery
Doctors
& Mike expect full recovery with a
planned return to MX series opener at
Glen Helen
FLORENCE,
Ky., (Feb. 22, 2002) AMSOIL/Dr. Martens/Journeys/O'Neal
rider Mike LaRocco went through what his doctors
described as an easy surgery on Wednesday,
and is expected to make a full recovery and
continue with his professional racing career
this summer.
LaRocco,
who suffered an acute dislocation of the lunate
(wrist joint) in Minneapolis last Saturday
in a accident that saw Travis Pastrana land
on him, said that his doctors reported there
wasnt as much damage to his wrist as initially
expected.
I tore the
ligaments, but not all the way through, said
LaRocco from his home in Corona, Calif. So
I got it pinned and they pulled some bone
chips out. The doctors all said it was an
easy surgery. Ill be in a cast for a while
but plan to be in rehab right away to help
speed the recovery process, about
six weeks I hope."
This is
the first time in seven years LaRocco will
miss a race. His last injury, ironically,
came in 1995 in Charlotte when he broke his
wrist while chasing Jeremy McGrath in the
250cc points race.
Im definitely
bummed seven years without missing a race,
said LaRocco. And itll be hard to not be there
for my teammates, everybody else around me.
I want to be out there as bad as everybody
wants me to be. I have obligations to Dr.
Martens and our 125 guys. It all depends on
my rehab schedule, but I should be back to
hang out at the races by Houston (March 23rd).
LaRocco
was then quick to put the rest the career
ending rumors that may be floating around.
My recovery will be difficult, this is no
joke, he said. But Im not scared to ride again.
This is definitely not a career ending injury.
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