Melissa Gilbert Concussion: ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Contestant Rushed to Hospital After Paso Doble Routine

Actress Melissa Gilbert was rushed to a hospital moments after suffering a head injury Monday night while competing on “Dancing with the Stars.”

According to a statement issued today by US Weekly, Gilbert, 47, says she is okay, suffering from a mild concussion and some whiplash.

While there was no obvious incident during her amazing paso doble performance with partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy, CNN reports Gilbert started complaining about dizziness soon afterward and had to be carried by Gavin DeGraw to the red room because she was “too weak to walk” on her own.

As a precaution she was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital.

Following Gilbert’s exit, DWTS host Tom Bergeron told the audience that “Dancing” would have a full update of the situation on Tuesday’s results show.

The former “Little House on the Prairie” star tweeted last night that “very soon I will be safely home being taken care of.”

The actress revealed at the season’s onset that she had suffered a serious back injury requiring surgery just 18 months ago.

Earlier this week, Gilbert, who was rehearsing the very demanding paso doble for Monday night’s competition, blogged on People.com:

“This week of Dancing has been a killer. I have a burn on my ankle from being dragged across the floor by Maks. It will scar. No question. The scar is mine. I earned it by working really hard. As crazy as it sounds the scar will become a symbol for me. It is a symbol of life without limitations.

Melissa continued:

“Here’s what I’ve had working against me:
I will be 48 in a few weeks – definitely past retirement for a dancer.
My spine is fused in two places now – last surgery was about a year and half ago.
I was not in the best cardiovascular shape of my life when this started.”

The NY Daily writes that injuries on “Dancing With the Stars” are a common fact of life.

So far this season, Menounos has already suffered from two broken ribs and stress fractures on her feet. The “Extra” TV host hopped on partner Derek Hough’s back for a piggyback ride off the stage after their performance.

As for Mellisa Gilbert’s status, there is no word yet whether she will be at the show’s Tuesday night taping.

Check out Mellisa Gilbert’s paso doble performance in the video below:
via Chicago Sun-Times