The Briton will ride for LCR Honda next year after his two-year deal with Ducati was terminated with 12 months remaining.
And the 29-year-old's preparations for the new season have included going under the knife on his problematic left shoulder.
"I had arthritis in my left shoulder after a crash I had in 2010 and I also had a plate in there from my crash at Silverstone in 2011," said Crutchlow, who is still waiting for his first MotoGP win.
"I needed to get the arthritis cleaned out because in warmer conditions I didn’t have an issue, but in the cold, it was a bit painful.
"And the plate has been finally removed.
"Now I feel much better job. Soon I will fly to America to start my winter training programme."
The 2015 season starts in Qatar at the end of March.