Reagan 'fine' following hip surgery

Former President Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy, in March 2000    WEB EXCLUSIVE Jim Hill: Reagan spends quiet night in hospital Greg LaMotte: Reagan injury common among elderly

In this story: Afflicted with Alzheimer's disease Routine procedure often successful First entered politics in the 1960s RELATED STORIES, SITES

SANTA MONICA, California (CNN) -- Former President Ronald Reagan was "fine" after surgery Saturday to repair a fracture to his right hip, according to an aide.

Surgeons at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California, inserted a metal pin in Reagan's hip to repair damage from a fall the former president suffered Friday at his Bel Air, California, home, according to Reagan's Chief of Staff Joanne Drake.

Asked how the former president was doing after the surgery, Drake said, "Everything is fine."

The procedure lasted about an hour and 15 minutes, beginning just before 9 a.m. and ending at 10:15 a.m.

When he was admitted to the hospital Friday evening, Reagan, 89, was fully alert, in very good spirits and was laughing and joking, a hospital press official said. Drake described the accident as "just a simple fall."

His wife, Nancy, was with him at the time of the accident and stayed with him through the night, Drake said.

Reagan, who has Alzheimer's disease, turns 90 on February 6. The former Hollywood film actor served as U.S. president from 1981-1989.

VIDEO Joanne Drake, Reagan spokesperson, and Dr. Kevin Ehrhart, St. John's Health Center, comment on the surgery Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) CNN's Greg Lamotte reports on the the former U.S. President's condition Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)   RESOURCES Send get-well wishes to The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, California 93065, or to the organization's Web site, www.reaganfoundation.org

Reagan's daughter, Maureen, 60, is in the John Wayne Cancer Institute at the same hospital with malignant melanoma. She was admitted December 11.

Maureen Reagan's mother is actress Jane Wyman. A nursing supervisor said the Reagan family had asked the hospital not to comment. "Neither the family nor the hospital will be providing any additional information at this time," said Pat Schlendering. Drake said that Reagan's children were notified, including Maureen.

Hip surgery is a routine procedure that usually lasts about two hours. About 350,000 cases of hip fractures are reported each year.

Only one-quarter of hip fracture patients make a full recovery and 20 percent die within a year, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Half of patients need a cane or walker, and 40 percent go from hospital to a nursing home.

Reagan was taken by ambulance to St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica

Reagan was born in 1911, in Tampico, Illinois, and acquired the nickname "Dutch" as a baby. After college he began a career as a sports broadcaster, then jumped into acting in the 1937 film "Love is on the Air."

His movie career took off with the role of halfback George Gipp in "Knute Rockne, All-American," permanently associating Reagan with the coach's exhortation to "win one for the Gipper."

Reagan served multiple terms as president of the Screen Actors Guild starting in 1947 and then ran for California governor, beating Democratic incumbent Edmund G. "Pat" Brown in the 1966 election and winning re-election in 1970.

Reagan unsuccessfully challenged President Gerald Ford to be the Republican candidate in 1976, then emerged as the GOP frontrunner in 1980 against President Carter. At 69, Reagan was the oldest man ever elected president. On March 30, 1981, Reagan was leaving a Washington hotel after addressing labor leaders when a young drifter, John Hinckley, fired six gunshots at him. A bullet lodged an inch from Reagan's heart, but he recovered fully.

He was re-elected in 1984 by an even greater margin, carrying 49 states in defeating Democratic former Vice President Walter Mondale.

Reagan generally exhibited good physical condition during his public life. During his visits his Santa Barbara County ranch, he chopped wood and rode horseback. Eventually his deteriorating health led to the family's decision to sell the ranch.

CNN Correspondent Jim Hill and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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