Speculation on Michael Schumacher’s prognosis for recovery from
his serious head injuries is rampant in Germany, with one publication
reporting that the multiple Formula 1 champion could be in a coma
for the rest of his life.
The Daily Mail is
reporting that German outlets Focus and Bild have spoken with
neurological experts, who have discussed their views based on
reports of Schumacher’s condition.
The 45-year-old has been in a medically induced coma at a hospital
in Grenoble since an accident on a ski field in the French Alps on
December 29 last year.
The latest official report on his condition being “critical but stable”,
Schumacher’s management team adamant they will release no more
updates unless there is a change in his condition.
Schumacher’s wife Corinna also pleaded with media to back off from
their relentless hounding for updates and leave the hospital, where
they had been gathered since news of Schumacher’s accident broke.
“Please support our shared fight with Michael,” she said in a
statement.
“It is important to me that you take the pressure off the doctors and
the hospital so they can do their work.
“Please have faith in their statements and leave the hospital. Please
also leave our family in peace.”
But according to the Daily Mail, the silence on Schumacher’s
condition has led to anxiety in his native Germany, as publications
turn to non-official sources to gain an insight into the potential – or
otherwise – of Schumacher making a full recovery.
German publication Focus spoke to neurosurgeon Andreas Zieger of
the University Clinic for neurosurgery in Oldenburg, a man not part of
Schumacher’s medical team.
Professor Zieger speculated that, given the time Schumacher has
been kept in an induced coma, “there may have been complications.”
“We should not speculate here. Ultimately, we are talking about life
and death. A coma can in theory be maintained for a lifetime. It won’t
hurt the human brain.”
Professor Zieger added: “Brain injuries are among the most
complicated injuries that can happen to the human body.
“Predictions about how long a person might be in a coma or potential
complications are seldom reliable.”
Another news outlet interviewed Cologne neurological expert
Professor Gereon Fink, who fears that the length of Schumacher’s
coma, now reaching its 18th day, indicates serious damage in the
brain..
“He assumes that Michael Schumacher’s health condition is
apparently worse than hoped for,” the site reported.
“If the injuries are so severe that it would harm the patient, he is kept
longer in the medically induced coma,” Professor Fink said.
“Depending on where bleeding has taken place can lead to unilateral
paralysis, speech disorders or personality changes.”
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