Gemma Numan Paralysed in Left Arm After Spinal Surgery Complication
Gemma Numan, the wife of iconic musician Gary Numan, has revealed she has been left paralysed in her left arm following a rare complication from spinal surgery. The 57-year-old shared the health update on Instagram alongside a photo of herself and Gary, 67, walking in Kew Gardens, London.
Still recovering [from] the sadder outcome of left arm paralysis after my multi-level discectomy, she wrote of the operation that took place at the end of last year. A multi-level discectomy is a surgical procedure where damaged or herniated discs are removed from several levels of the spine to relieve pressure on surrounding nerves.
Immediate Paralysis After Cervical Spine Operation
In a separate post showing her lying on a bed, Gemma disclosed the paralysis struck immediately after the operation on her cervical spine on 11 December. Paralyzed left arm straight away! It's one of the sad things that can happen, she added. Paralysis is a very rare complication but a known risk due to the surgery's proximity to the spinal cord or nerve roots.
She explained physiotherapy has helped her regain some movement in her lower arm and biceps, but she has nothing in her shoulder and surrounding area. The injury has been particularly challenging as Gemma is left-handed.
Emotional Struggle and Family Support
Gemma described buying a small travel paint kit to cheer herself up, only to break down when she realised she couldn't use it properly. Get back, cried and realized I can't use it cos I'm left handed, she wrote. So I tried by turning the paper round all the time! It's s*** but that's with my lead hand which is now not really working with any control.
She has not been able to return to the family home in Los Angeles since September, with the couple arriving in the UK on 4 December, a week before the operation. Gemma paid tribute to Gary for putting his career on hold to care for her, writing: He has been bored s***less with so much looking after me and it's all my fault he's fallen behind on all things Numan again to look after me.
Series of Health Challenges and Operations
In her candid post, Gemma revealed this surgery was one of three operations she has undergone since August, with another still facing her. The couple, who married in 1997 and share three daughters, have endured a gruelling few months including Gemma's escalating health problems and the death of Gary's younger brother John Webb in November.
Her spinal surgery follows years of worsening health problems she first detailed last summer. In August, she revealed she was preparing for five cervical discs to be removed and replaced, delaying the operation until after Gary's tour finished in December.
Gemma also disclosed diagnoses with:
- Nutcracker syndrome, a rare vascular disorder
- May-Thurner syndrome, affecting veins in the pelvis
- Pelvic congestion syndrome
She suggested May-Thurner syndrome may have caused the blood clot that led to a mini-stroke she suffered in 2024. In mid-2024, Gary revealed Gemma had been treated for a heart arrhythmia with dangerously high pulse levels, describing it as a scary time for the family.
Gemma expressed missing her animals intensely during her recovery, adding: I miss my animals so much it makes [me] feel sick. Gary has looked after me here in UK the whole time. And I Facetime babies. But animals are just missed.
