TM Racing’s Simon Thompson is resting and on the the path to recovery after undergoing a major surgical procedure to repair damage to five discs in his spinal cord.

Based at the Royal Brisbane Hospital, Thompson will remain under observation until he is able to walk on his own, with intensive rehabilitation assisting him in the process.

The 27-year-old aggravated an existing back complaint at the opening round of the Monster Energy MX Nationals at Raymond Terrace, but was not aware of the extent of the damage until it was revealed by an emergency MRI some days later.

“I headed to the doctors on the Monday after Raymond Terrace, and they thought it was just my sciatic nerve,” said Thompson. “I took some time off work and had some physio treatment as well as being put in traction twice that week.

“I had my final physio session on the following Monday and was still resting up with plans to make a come back to racing at Conondale.

“Then all of a sudden I lost feeling from my waist down. I could not feel anything from my waist down.”

Thompson was admitted to his local hospital before being flown to Brisbane, where surgeons discovered additional damage to his L1, L2, and L3 discs while operating to repair the L4 and L5.

“They used a laser to remove 40 to 50 percent of my L5 as that was the one that was putting the most amount of pressure on my spinal cord,” he said.

“As they were operating it became apparent that another four discs needed fixing as well, as I had done a pretty good job of it.”

Thompson says he has full feeling back but must wait for bruising to the nerve system in his right leg to improve before he is able to walk properly.

MotoOnline encourages readers to send their messages of support to Simon via the TM Racing Australia Facebook page.