The reigning downhill visually impaired Paralympic champion suffered the injury during off-snow training in Thredbo, and was treated by medics who made the decision to send him back to Spain to undergo surgery.

Santacana - who skis with guide Miguel Galindo - underwent surgery on the injury today and the outcome was "satisfactory", according to the Spanish National Paralympic Committee, who warned that he is not expected to reach full fitness until late January next year.

This would give Santacana roughly a month to prepare for the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, which get underway on March 7.

The Spaniard suffered a broken tibia and fibula just two months prior to the 2006 Winter Paralympics in Turin, but still managed to make it to the start line, finishing seventh in the slalom.

Santacana is one of Spain's most prolific alpine skiers and has competed at the previous three Winter Paralympics, amassing two gold, two silver and two bronze medals, as well as eight world titles.

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