Michael Schumacher health update: Neurosurgeon claims F1 legend 'nothing like we remember'

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER is "very altered" and has "deteriorated" six years on from his skiing accident, a leading neurosurgeon has revealed.

By BILL MCLOUGHLIN

PUBLISHED: 10:37, Wed, Jan 22, 2020 | UPDATED: 13:02, Wed, Jan 22, 2020

The Formula One legend suffered a brain injury in December 2013 and has only just come out of an induced coma. Due to the amount of time since his injury, leading surgeon, Nicola Acciari, has warned the Formula One driver is now a different person.

What is known is that Michael Schumacher has been receiving groundbreaking treatment from French surgeon, Philippe Menasche. 

Michael Schumacher: Formula One star (Image: GETTY)

Michael Schumacher: The F1 legend is not the same as he once was (Image: GETTY)

Mr Menasche is a leading light in stem cell therapy and was reportedly using surgery to transfer cells from his heart to the brain according to Spanish publication 20minutos. 

The treatment took place at the Georges-Pompidou Hospital and according to Schumacher's doctor, professor Jean-Francois Payen, he has returned this month for the same treatment. 

He said: "There is a one to three-year plan for the regeneration period.

“I visit Schumacher frequently and talk to his family about the progress I see.”

JUST IN: Michael Schumacher latest: Fan club to mark anniversary of accident

Corinna Schumacher and her son, racing driver Mick Schumacher pictured at the German Sports Press Ball in 2019 (Image: PA)

Michael Schumacher and his wife Corinna happily after their top secret civil marriage ceremony in 1995 (Image: PA)

• 
  Michael Schumacher update: How is Michael Schumacher doing
• 
  Michael Schumacher has world stem cell expert attempting to save him

Schumacher's long-term friend and Ferrari manager, Jean Todt visited Schumacher to watch a Grand Prix. 

Although he visited Schumacher, he was careful not to reveal any specific details on his condition. 

The only detail he did reveal was that the former Formula One star does not "give up and keeps fighting". 

Mr Todt said: "I'm always careful with such statements, but it's true.

DON'T MISS
Lewis Hamilton won't beat Michael Schumacher F1 title record [Latest]
Michael Schumacher's son makes heartbreaking admission [Latest]
Michael Schumacher health latest: Doctor breaks silence on treatment [Latest]

Michael Schumacher: The Formula One star came out of his coma recently (Image: GETTY)

Michael Schumacher: Jean Todt, pictured here in 2006, visited Schumacher recently (Image: PA)

Jean Todt celebrating with Schumacher after his victory in the French Formula One Grand Prix in 2002 (Image: PA)

"I saw the race together with Michael Schumacher at his home in Switzerland. 

"Michael is in the best hands and is well looked after in his house.

"He does not give up and keeps fighting.

"His family is fighting just as much and of course our friendship cannot be the same as it once was just because there's no longer the same communication as before." 

Corinna and Michael Schumacher in front of their villa in Vufflens le Chateau, Switzerland in 1996 (Image: PA)

Michael Schumacher health update- Neurosurgeon claims F1 legend -nothing like we remember- [TV NEWS]

During his stem cell treatment, Mr Menasche was forced to defend himself over accusations he was using Schumacher as an experiment as opposed to a patient to operate on. 

The professor at the University of Alabama and leader of the National Institute for Medical and Health research hit back and said: “There was great attention to our department, but it has already returned to normal. 

“There has been great progress in the last 20 years, but the truth is that we still know little.”

To mark the six-year anniversary of his injury, his wife Corinna, issued a message to his fans. 

Michael Schumacher kisses Corinna after winning the French Formula One Grand Prix on the Magny-Cours racetrack in 2002 (Image: PA)

Michael Schumacher: Mr Menasche defended himself (Image: GETTY)