Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 21, 1993 TAG: 9311210047
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WORCESTER, MASS. LENGTH: Medium
A 10-hour operation to remove scar tissue encased in nerves on the left side of Palermo's spinal cord did no additional damage, said Dr. Arthur Pappas, an orthopedic surgeon who led a team of six doctors in Friday's operation.
But whether Palermo will be able to walk normally and return to baseball won't be known immediately, Pappas said Saturday. The surgery was "slow, tedious, but encouraging," said Pappas.
Palermo, 43, was partially paralyzed by a mugger's bullet when he came to the aid of two waitresses being attacked in the parking lot of a Dallas restaurant in July 1991.
He was in stable condition at University of Massachusetts Medical Center on Saturday, and officials said he was in good spirits. The hospital would not let him speak to reporters.
"We're trying to allow the family their privacy," said a nursing supervisor.
The doctors had hoped to find the nerves intact, making it possible for impulses to be transmitted from the nerves to muscles in Palermo's left leg again.
The nerves were intact. But Pappas said it was too early to tell exactly how much damage the nerves had suffered in the shooting.
Doctors will perform tests over the next several days that should give them a better idea of the potential for nerve function, Pappas said.
At least no further damage was done by the surgery, so Palermo's condition will not worsen, Pappas said.
Doctors originally told Palermo he would never walk again. He has waged a relentless battle to regain full use of his legs and now can walk haltingly with the aid of canes.
But he wants to umpire again.
Despite excellent recovery on his right side, his left side remains weak and his rehabilitation has stalled in the past year.
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by CNB