Former pro motocross and supercross racer Martin Davalos is currently recovering after undergoing emergency brain surgery due to a diagnosis of intracranial hypertension — a rare and serious condition that caused severe pressure on his brain and optic nerves.
Over the weekend, Davalos shared a heartfelt update on social media, recounting a difficult few months marked by unexplained fatigue and blurred vision. Believing the symptoms were due to stress and frequent travel, he continued pushing forward — until a family trip to Ecuador led him to finally seek medical help. That choice, he says, likely saved his eyesight — and possibly his life.
“The doctors there noticed something seriously off with my optic nerves — signs of swelling that pointed to high pressure inside my skull,” Davalos wrote. “After several tests and MRIs, I was diagnosed with intracranial hypertension, with symptoms similar to a pseudotumor.”
Following an urgent return to the United States, Davalos was hospitalized and underwent emergency surgery. Doctors placed a lumbar drain to reduce the pressure, followed by the surgical implantation of a VP (ventriculoperitoneal) shunt — a device that helps drain excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain to prevent further complications.
“I’m dealing with pain, fatigue, and some brain fog,” he said. “But I’m staying focused on the road ahead… I’m grateful to still be here, still fighting, and still surrounded by so much love and support.
“I want to say how incredibly grateful I am to my wife, the doctors and the nurses who took such good care of me and quite literally saved my sight and sanity,” he continued. “I’m grateful to still be here, still fighting, and still surrounded by so much love and support.”
