A little over a week after his fall on the Stelvio slope in Bormio, Italy, Cyprien Sarrazin, seriously injured in the head, begins a difficult course of neurological rehabilitation in Lyon. This process could last several months and raises questions about his sporting future. Among the current after-effects, the skier suffers from diplopia, a vision disorder that disrupts his daily life.
"Drill hole"
On December 27, during an official training session before the World Cup events, the French team's downhill skier lost control of his skis on one of the most technical sections of the slope. Cyprien Sarrazin was evacuated by helicopter to the hospital in Sondalo (Italy). There, doctors diagnosed an acute intracranial hematoma. According to Stephane Bulle, doctor of the French Alpine ski team, "The hematoma rapidly worsened, causing brain compression.".
To remedy this, an emergency intervention, called "drill hole", was performed in order to evacuate the accumulated blood. "It's a procedure that involves piercing the skull to reduce internal pressure.", the doctor said. After several days of hospitalization in Italy, Sarrazin, 30, was repatriated Friday to the Medipole in Lyon, where he was reunited with his family. "He is relieved to be in France, but remains very tired and has difficulty communicating.", said Dr. Bulle.
Diplopia affects eye coordination
Among the after-effects of his head trauma, Cyprien Sarrazin suffers from diplopia, a disorder that affects the coordination of both eyes. This condition, caused by the increase in intracranial pressure during the hematoma, makes it difficult to perform simple actions such as opening the eyes or focusing on an object. This symptom further complicates the rehabilitation process, which begins with basic gestures: sitting down, standing up or eating alone.
The Henry-Gabrielle center, where Sarrazin was transferred, specializes in the rehabilitation of patients who have suffered serious trauma. "We work with patients who have been in car accidents or other massive trauma. This is the best place for him.", assured the doctor. "We're talking months, not weeks", warned Stephane Bulle during a press conference. The doctor said "relatively serene", but future tests will determine the extent of the neurological damage and its potential impact on Sarrazin's sporting career. "I have absolutely no idea where this will lead us, but our goal is clear: to enable him to regain all his faculties."
This fall is part of a series of serious accidents for the skier, who already suffered a major head trauma in 2018. In addition to the physical challenges, the question of his willingness to pursue a career in such a demanding sport will also arise. Several athletes, such as the Swiss Mauro Caviezel, have faced such dilemmas, with successful, but sometimes temporary, returns. In the meantime, Cyprien Sarrazin is focusing on his convalescence, supported by his medical team and his loved ones. If his sporting future remains uncertain, it is above all his health that is at the center of current concerns.