Little House on the Prairie star MELISSA GILBERT will undergo a potentially dangerous surgical procedure to repair her broken back.
Gilbert, 46, recently wrapped the musical stage version of the TV classic in which she played Ma and is best known for playing Laura Ingalls in the long running series but now her greatest challenge is upon her!.
The ENQUIRER has learned that Gilbert had suffered back pain during the run of the musical but didn’t consult a neurosurgeon until the show’s run ended.
"He came in and said, ‘Your back is broken, and it has been for months,’" Gilbert confirmed.
"I sort of was in shock for a while.
"I thought doing a musical at 46, playing a woman in her late 20s, early 30s was amazing enough. But doing it with a broken back buys me a little more street cred."
The brave star is to go under the knife July 22 to replace a disc with a plastic implant.
Docs will also fuse a vertebra in her lower spine.
How Melissa suffered the back-breaking injury is unknown.
