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Michael Schumacher’s family continues to wait by his bedside for the F1 champion to awaken from a medically-induced coma.
The racer has been in a coma for three months after a skiing accident while he was on a vacation with his family. The incident resulted in a brain injury that was operated on and a portion of his skull was removed to remove pressure from his brain, according to media reports. Doctors are waiting to see whether there were any complications with the surgery with some of the possible issues including brain swelling, a brain bleed, opening of the brain’s outer membrane, a brain hemorrhage or an infection.
Meanwhile, doctors have run brain tests and reduced the amount sedatives given to Schumacher in an attempt wake him from his coma. It could take weeks or even months for this to happen.
But neurologists have said he may not make a full recovery. While Schumacher’s condition stabilized after the surgery was complete, Dr. Tipu Aziz, professor of neurosurgery at Oxford University, told the Associated Press that since he hasn’t woke up yet, it shows that the injury was very severe and it’s unlikely he’ll have a full recovery. Other neurologists say it’s still too early to tell, but the longer someone stays in a coma, the worse the recovery.
Acquired brain injury survivors can improve their working memory after an incident, but it can take years to get to that point. Canada’s Dave Irwin is an example of this. The downhill skier had severe memory loss and had to relearn English and coordination after a skiing accident in 2001. Since then, he’s gotten back his long-term memory, he is able to hold a conversation with others and he was able to ski the run where he had almost died.
A family rep said in a statement that Schumacher has shown “small, encouraging signs,” which could include eyelids fluttering and attempting to breathe without a ventilator.
If you have had an accident and are now coping with a brain injury, your life has likely changed significantly. Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers are here for you and have been handling all types of injuries for over 40 years. We understand the impacts they can have on you and we can help fight your case. Call us at 416-920-4242. Set up a free consultation and come chat with us.
Greg Neinstein
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