Actor Jason Priestley has regained feeling in his feet and is making good progress, following spine surgery last weekend after a speedway racing crash on Sunday.
Doctors at the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, said on Thursday that the actor should be able to get up and sit in a chair within 24 hours.

Priestley, 32, is still considered to be in a serious but stable condition after six hours of surgery on his back and feet.

But hospital spokesman Jon Mills said doctors were optimistic about the former Beverly Hills 90210 star's prognosis.

"He has mobility and feeling now in all of his extremities, which is a great sign," Mr Mills said.

Mr Mills added that Priestley's lengthy rehabilitation treatment could start as early as next week

The actor is a member of the Kelley Racing team and was practising for the final of the Indy Racing Infiniti Pro Series at Kentucky Speedway when he crashed.

He was taken to the University of Kentucky Hospital but was later airlifted to the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

The Indianapolis facility is known for having treated several other Indy Racing League drivers.

In addition to fractures in his ninth thoracic vertebra and in both feet, Priestley suffered a contusion around his left eye.

He also has lacerations on the bridge of his nose, left cheek and neck.

The orthopaedic surgeon who operated on the actor, Dr Kevin Scheid, said: "The bone repair in both feet went as well as could be expected.

"I don't foresee a need for any additional reconstructive surgery on the feet."

Priestley was fitted with a back brace on Monday to determine the stability of the fracture in his ninth thoracic vertebra.

Tests showed no immediate signs of paralysis or permanent neurological damage.

Source: Press Release