Italian Gymnast Lorenzo Bonicelli on the Road to Recovery: Regaining Speech and Natural Eating After Serious Neck Injury

Italian Gymnast Lorenzo Bonicelli Shows Remarkable Recovery After Severe Neck Injury

Milan, Italy – Italian artistic gymnast Lorenzo Bonicelli is demonstrating encouraging signs of recovery following a serious neck injury sustained during a recent competition, officials have confirmed.The 20-year-old, who underwent surgery in Germany to address a cervical sprain trauma with subluxation of the fifth vertebra, has begun speaking again and is eating independently, according to updates from the Italian Gymnastics Federation (FGI).

Bonicelli was initially treated at the University Hospital in Essen,Germany,before being transferred to the Niguarda Hospital in Milan on August 7th.A tracheotomy performed to assist his breathing has already seen one tube removed, though his voice remains altered due to a smaller, temporary breathing assistance device.

“They’ve now removed one of the tubes,” stated FGI representative, Gilardoni. “Of course, his voice is still altered – it’s not ‘his’ yet – because he still has a smaller tube in place to assist his breathing.” Gilardoni also confirmed bonicelli is now able to feed himself, marking a meaningful step forward in his rehabilitation.While a neurological injury has been identified, the FGI reports that Bonicelli has shown no signs of cognitive impairment. The full extent of the neurological damage is still being assessed.

the athlete was conscious during his transfer from Germany to italy, accompanied by his family and girlfriend, Lisa Rigamonti, a former gymnast and current nurse. Rigamonti expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support on Instagram.The Road to Recovery: Understanding Cervical Spine Injuries in Athletes

Bonicelli’s injury highlights the inherent risks faced by athletes in high-impact sports like gymnastics. Cervical spine injuries,affecting the neck region,can range from mild sprains to severe fractures and dislocations. Subluxation, as experienced by Bonicelli, refers to a partial dislocation of a vertebra, perhaps compressing the spinal cord and causing neurological symptoms.

The immediate priority in treating such injuries is stabilization, often requiring surgical intervention, followed by extensive rehabilitation. Tracheotomies are frequently employed in cases of significant neck trauma to secure the airway and facilitate breathing when the muscles controlling respiration are compromised.

Community support Fuels Rehabilitation

The Ghislanzoni gal club, bonicelli’s home club, has launched a fundraising campaign to support his ongoing rehabilitation. details of the campaign can be found on their Instagram page: What role did neuroplasticity play in Lorenzo Bonicelli’s recovery from dysphagia and speech impairment?

the Incident and initial Challenges

In late 2024, the world of gymnastics was shaken by the devastating neck injury sustained by Italian gymnast Lorenzo Bonicelli during a training session. The incident, occurring while practicing a complex vault maneuver, resulted in a severe cervical spine fracture. Initial reports indicated a significant risk of paralysis and long-term neurological complications. Bonicelli underwent emergency surgery at the Niguarda Ca’ Granda hospital in Milan, Italy, where surgeons worked tirelessly to stabilize his spine and mitigate further damage.

The immediate aftermath presented two major hurdles: regaining the ability to speak and re-establishing natural eating functions. The injury impacted the nerves controlling his vocal cords and swallowing mechanisms, leaving him unable to communicate effectively or safely ingest food. this period was especially challenging for Bonicelli and his family, requiring immense patience and a dedicated rehabilitation plan. Neck injury recovery, spinal cord injury rehabilitation, and speech therapy for athletes became critical search terms as fans worldwide followed his progress.

Speech Recovery: A Gradual Process

Bonicelli’s speech recovery has been a testament to the power of specialized therapy and his unwavering determination. The initial stages focused on regaining control of the muscles involved in breathing and phonation.

Here’s a breakdown of the key phases:

Phase 1: Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises: Strengthening the diaphragm was crucial for providing the necessary airflow for speech.

Phase 2: Vocal Cord stimulation: therapists employed techniques to stimulate the vocal cords, encouraging them to regain functionality. This included gentle massage and electrical stimulation.

Phase 3: Articulation Exercises: Once some vocalization was achieved, the focus shifted to improving articulation and clarity of speech. This involved repetitive exercises targeting specific sounds and syllables.

Phase 4: Communication Strategies: Bonicelli learned alternative communication methods, such as writing and using communication boards, to express his needs and thoughts while his speech continued to develop.

Progress has been incremental but consistent. Recent reports (August 2025) indicate Bonicelli is now able to speak in short sentences, though his voice remains somewhat weak and requires conscious effort. Dysarthria treatment, vocal cord rehabilitation, and neurological speech therapy are all integral to his ongoing care.

Restoring Natural Eating: Overcoming Dysphagia

Alongside speech recovery, restoring bonicelli’s ability to eat naturally has been a primary focus. The injury caused dysphagia – difficulty swallowing – due to nerve damage affecting the muscles responsible for moving food from the mouth to the stomach. This posed a significant risk of aspiration (food entering the lungs),leading to pneumonia.

The rehabilitation process involved:

1. Dietary Modifications: Initially, Bonicelli was fed through a feeding tube to ensure adequate nutrition. The diet gradually progressed from liquids to pureed foods, than to soft solids, and eventually to more textured foods.
2. Swallowing Therapy: A speech-language pathologist specializing in swallowing disorders guided Bonicelli through exercises designed to strengthen the muscles involved in swallowing and improve coordination.
3. postural adjustments: Specific head and body positions were utilized during meals to facilitate safe swallowing.
4. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES): NMES was used to stimulate the muscles involved in swallowing, helping to restore their function.

As of August 2025, Bonicelli is reportedly able to consume a wider range of foods with minimal assistance, though careful monitoring remains essential. Dysphagia rehabilitation, swallowing exercises, and feeding tube weaning are key aspects of his care.

The Role of Neuroplasticity and intensive Rehabilitation

Bonicelli’s recovery highlights the remarkable capacity of the brain to adapt and rewire itself – a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. Intensive rehabilitation, coupled with cutting-edge therapies, has been instrumental in stimulating neuroplasticity and promoting functional recovery.

Robotic-Assisted Therapy: Utilizing robotic devices to assist with movement and provide repetitive practice.

Virtual Reality (VR) Rehabilitation: VR environments offer immersive and engaging exercises to improve motor skills and cognitive function.

*Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (