Michael Schumacher's doctor says he cannot perform 'miracles'
The F1 legend's condition has been shrouded in secrecy since he suffered a brain injury in 2013.
Tuesday 1 October 2019 23:20, UK
The surgeon who treated racing legend Michael Schumacher with stem cell therapy says he cannot perform "miracles".
Cardiac surgeon Professor Philippe Menasche has been caring for the former Ferrari and Mercedes driver in Paris, but the treatment has been shrouded in secrecy.
Few details have been shared publicly about the German driver's condition since he suffered a near-fatal brain injury while skiing in 2013.
The surgeon tempered high expectations, saying: "With stem cells, I don't work miracles."
A number of media outlets speculated Mr Schumacher had undergone experimental stem cell therapy.
Speaking to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Professor Menasche denied the claims he had performed "experiments".
"With my team, we are not doing any experiments," he said. "It's an abominable term that does not correspond with my vision of what medicine is."
La Parisien reported last month that Mr Schumacher had been treated at least twice previously at the Georges-Pompidou hospital in Paris, where he was admitted under a false name.
He was reportedly watched over by ten security guards.
A nurse told the French newspaper at the time: "Yes he is in my service... And I can assure you that he is conscious."
Professor Menasche said details of Mr Schumacher's treatment would remain confidential.
Only close friends have been allowed to visit the seven-time F1 champion since the accident.
He was skiing with family in the French Alps when he hit the right side of his head on a rock, splitting his helmet open.
Mr Schumacher was left with blood clots on his brain and was in a coma for some time.
He has been receiving round-the-clock care at his home in Switzerland since September 2014, where family members have tried to protect his privacy.
In a rare public statement on his 50th birthday, the family wrote on Instagram: "Please understand if we are following Michael's wishes and keeping such a sensitive subject as health, as it has always been, in privacy."
They added that the sporting legend was in "the very best of hands".