The army psychiatrist accused of a shooting rampage at the Fort Hood military base in Texas is permanently paralyzed, his lawyer said.

Major Nidal Malik Hasan, who was charged with 13 counts of pre-meditated murder Thursday, was shot several times after he allegedly opened fire on a crowd of his fellow soldiers.

More than 100 bullets were fired in the troops readiness center and 42 other people were injured.

Hasan's doctors told him days ago that he will never walk again, said defense attorney John Galligan, who visited with Hasan on Thursday night.

Hasan does have some feeling in his hands and is in "significant pain" from his injuries, Galligan said.

"His medical condition is still extremely serious," he said, adding Hasan appeared confused and his speech is a "little garbled."

Asked whether Hasan expressed remorse, Galligan said: "We didn't get into that."

Hasan, who is being investigated for links to militant Islam, will be tried in a military court for the fatal shootings of 12 soldiers and one civilian.

Further charges are expected.