Per Mirror UK, Donny decided to be candid about complications arising from a 2019 back and neck surgery. While the 63-year-old maintained a great spirit, he questioned whether or not he would be able to walk again.

“I thought everything was going to be fine, but it couldn’t have been worse,” Donny told the outlet. “I got a secondary infection which meant I wasn’t able to move.”

Mirror UK also shared that Donnie underwent months of rehab. When asked if he was worried about not walking again, Donny replied, “Oh sure, absolutely. It absolutely crossed my mind. But I just didn’t take no for an answer.”

Donny’s health took a turn during the final performance of his and sister Marie’s Las Vegas residency in November 2019. He told the outlet that his arms and legs went numb during their performance, but he decided to keep his condition a secret.

“I couldn’t feel my arms, then suddenly my legs too,” Donny told the site. “I didn’t tell anyone what was happening to me ... I just kept dancing and finished the show.” The singer shared that doctors revealed his spine had shifted due to previous dancing injuries and that he needed surgery on his back and neck.

While the surgery was a success, Donny later realized he had contracted a secondary infection that caused temporary paralysis. Luckily, he was able to start walking again over the course of several months of rehab.

In the interview, Donny credited his wife, Debbie, and his Mormon faith for helping him pull through. "She knows exactly the sort of determination that I have, and she knew I would be fine,” Donnie shared.