Michael Schumacher Will Be ‘Invalid’ For Life, Says Neurology Expert

File photo of Ferrari Formula One Driver Michael Schumacher of Germany Celebrates After Taking the Pole Position at the End of the Qualifying Session for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Sakhir Racetrack in Manama — IN PHOTO: Ferrari Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany celebrates after taking the pole position at the end of the qualifying session for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Sakhir racetrack in Manama in this March 11, 2006 file picture. Reuters

It is commonly the neurologist to whom the medical doctors go to if they want to determine the prognosis of a person who had been in a coma. Michael Schumacher may have gone out of coma but the prognosis might not be as positive as some fans may have thought. Schumacher faces life as an "invalid," according to a neurology expert.

"He will remain an invalid all his life and will always remain dependent on other's help," neurologist Erich Riederer told The Mirror.

Riederer, who is based in Zurich, further stated that the seven-time world champion is likely to have suffered "permanent" damage from the skiing crash and he would need to go through rehabilitation for a long period of time.

Despite Riederer's hopeless prognosis and while there's hardly any good news on Schumacher's health condition these past few months, manager Sabine Kehm's official statement saying that the German ace has woken up from coma after more than five months was an "incredibly positive message."

"For him, it is positive, but also for his family, this is hugely important."

Though the doctors at the Grenoble hospital did a great job in keeping Schumacher alive, feeding him with ample nutrients while in a medically-induced coma, Riederer said that the 45-year-old retired racer still could have lost so much weight and may appear in "almost-skeletal" form.

According to Riederer, Schumacher's coming out of coma isn't really a new development. He said it would have been a "success" if Schumacher was able to sit up on his own after three months or maneuver an electric wheelchair in six months.

On June 16, Kehm officially announced the Schumacher is no longer in a coma and has left the Grenoble hospital. He was transferred to Lausanne to continue his long period of rehabilitation. Schumacher was reportedly "conscious" and has partially opened his eyes during the 206 kilometre-long drive to the new medical facility, German news outlet Bild reported.

Schumacher's fans and supporters all over the globe remains hopeful that his rehabilitation treatment continues regardless of the grim prognosis of top medical experts.