Abby Lee Miller Health Update: Former 'Dance Moms' Host Almost Died, Paralyzed From Neck Down

Abby Lee Miller had a disease that almost cost her her life. The former Dance Moms host had an unusual spinal infection that made her paralyzed from the neck down. Fortunately, she is now doing fine after a major surgery, but she still has to undergo therapy.

In an interview with Abby Lee Miller's orthopedic spine surgeon, Dr. Hooman M. Melamed, he told People she still has a chance to walk again after the infection left her paralyzed. However, this depends on her recovery.

To do this, Melamed added they have to start mobilizing Abby Lee Miller and plan her rehab. Also, they have to start pushing her body, brain, and spinal cord for recovery. This unfortunate event happened after the 51-year-old star was hospitalized for a thyroid condition.

Abby Lee Miller's diagnosis all began when she felt "excruciating neck pain" and feebleness in the arm. She then went to the emergency room to have herself checked. However, after two days of staying in Cedar Sinai Marina Del Rey Hospital, her health started deteriorating.

Aside from the agonizing pain, the weakness she felt also started to get worse. In fact, in just 24 hours, her condition quickly deteriorated. "She was completely paralyzed from the neck down," Melamed continued to say.

The moment she had a CT scan, they then found out she had an infection that spread from the bottom of her neck to the lower part of her back. Melamed explained Abby Lee Miller's condition is something that they haven't seen and was "extremely unusual."

At the time, Melamed realized Abby Lee Miller was on the verge of life and death, thus they had to do something about it. Her blood pressure was falling and she was evidently not doing well. So, she underwent a multi-level laminectomy at 1 a.m. on Tuesday, April 17. The operation ran for five hours and left an 18-inch incision on her back.

It was still a big mystery as to what caused Abby Lee Miller to have a spinal infection or for her condition to rapidly fail. In fact, Melamed said he had no idea about it. He even explained this just usually happens to people who are compromised - if they are suffering from diabetes, are smokers, or have heart problems. But, she is none of those.  

Now, Abby Lee Miller is reportedly recovering in the ICU and beginning to feel her senses again.