Entertainment

Abby Lee Miller undergoes emergency surgery

Published

7 years ago

April 18, 2018

Abby Lee Miller “could have died” had she not undergone emergency back surgery in the early hours of Tuesday, her surgeon tells ET.

The 51-year-old former Dance Moms star is currently in recovery following an unscheduled 5-hour surgery in Marina del Ray, California.

Following the procedure, Miller’s orthopedic spine surgeon, Dr. Hooman Melamed, shared that Miller had been suffering “extreme pain in her back, arms and neck area.”

Performing a CT scan, the doctor discovered a mass infection putting pressure on Miller’s spine. He rushed her into emergency surgery to remove the infected mass at around 1 a.m. PST on Tuesday

“She was paralyzed yesterday and could not move,” Dr. Melamed explained. “She could have died. Forget paralysis — if she waited much longer she would’ve died from this.”

“Yesterday, Abby couldn’t move her toes or hands. Now she can slightly,” he added. “She is in recovery now.”

Dr. Melamed revealed that Miller may require another surgery, but for now she is recovering in hospital, where she will remain overnight and possibly for the rest of the week.

The cause of her infection is unknown; however, Miller had previously suffered from back issues.

Earlier this month, a source told ET that the reality star was admitted to a hospital in Long Beach, California, for a back condition, which she had been dealing with for some time.