Steve Curran’s brain surgery was carried out by Diederik Bulters, consultant neurosurgeon at University Hospital Southampton – who also happens to be a keen cyclist
“Arteries and veins ordinarily don’t connect directly together, but with AVM [arteriovenous malformation] you get a big tangle of blood vessels that create a short circuit where the blood can flow under high pressure from artery into vein. Typically someone with AVM is born with it – most never find out they have it – and it’s relatively rare; the official incidence is one per 100,000.
“Aspects of Steve’s AVM were particularly challenging: it was sitting in a very sensitive part of his brain, the motor cortex, the main controller of the limbs. This meant there was no leeway in the surgery. Steve has been very determined in his rehab, and I’m sure that has made a big difference in helping him to bounce back.
“It was uncertain whether he would get back any function – he has done exceptionally well.”