Subsequent tests, however, revealed much more serious damage: the iliopsoas muscle – the main hip flexor, composed of the psoas major and the iliacus muscle – was completely torn and contracted.
The rider explained that, thanks to the support of the Red Bull Athlete Performance Centre, they were able to find one of the best specialists to treat such a rare injury. However, after weeks of intense pain, further tests revealed that the operation hadn't yielded the desired results.
Since it was no longer possible to operate on the injured muscle, Johansson said he changed his perspective: no longer trying to "fix" what had broken, but focusing on protecting his future quality of life and his ability to move forward in the long term, accepting the situation and adapting to it.
Ten weeks after surgery, the athlete reported being able to walk on level surfaces again without the use of crutches. However, the nerve has not yet fully recovered its function, preventing him from fully extending his leg.
