Christopher Reeve is sitting in a chair, eating solid food and showing some body movement for the first time since his paralyzing injury in a riding accident 12 days ago, his doctor said.
The "Superman" star remained in serious condition Thursday at the University of Virginia Medical Center, but his health is improving, hospital spokeswoman Katherine Jackson said."He is an ideal patient because he is eager to improve," neurologist John Jane said Wednesday.
"There is new movement in Mr. Reeve's right shoulder muscle," Jane said. A statement from the hospital said his doctors are pleased with his progress.
Before surgery Monday to fuse two fractured vertebrae at the base of his skull, Reeve had to lie flat, putting him at high risk for pneumonia and life-threatening complications. The surgery immobilized Reeve's neck to prevent further spinal cord injury and allow his upper body to be elevated, reducing the risk of such problems, Jane said.
Reeve, 42, sat in a chair Wednesday and was fed manually, rather than through a feeding tube. He remains unable to breathe without a respirator.
The surgery immobilized his neck and will prevent further spinal cord damage. His spinal cord was not severed, leaving the possibility that he could regain some body movement.
Jane said Reeve's rehabilitation schedule depends on how much function returns, and he declined to estimate when the exercises would begin.