Reagan recovery on target, aide says

WEB EXCLUSIVE Jim Hill: Physical activity part of Reagan's recovery Greg LaMotte: Reagan injury common among elderly

Alzheimer's likely to complicate hip recovery

In this story: Mrs. Reagan 'glued to his side' Best wishes from presidents -- past, present and future RELATED STORIES, SITES

SANTA MONICA, California (CNN) -- A spokeswoman for Ronald Reagan was upbeat Sunday about the former president's recovery from surgery to repair a hip fracture suffered during a fall. The operation "met doctors' highest expectations," said Joanne Drake, Reagan's chief of staff.

She told CNN that Reagan is in stable condition at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California, and would remain there for at least a week.

VIDEO CNN's Elizabeth Cohen reports that 300,00 patients in the U.S. every year undergo surgery similar to Reagan's Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) 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 was placed under general anesthesia on Saturday before a series of pins, screws and a plate were used to put his hip back together. The surgery, originally expected to last three hours, started at 8:30 a.m. and was completed by 9:35 a.m.

Afterward, lead orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Kevin Ehrhart said Reagan would be able to complete most of his recovery and rehabilitation at home and would need to use a walker when he regains mobility. "The condition of the president's tissue, specifically the muscle and bone, was that of a much younger man, which obviously helps substantially with his recovery," Ehrhart said.

Reagan, who served as president from 1981-1989, turns 90 next month.

In 1994, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The progressive, irreversible neurological disorder presents a challenge to the former president's rehabilitation, Ehrhart said. "I am sure it will complicate it somewhat more. It's a bigger challenge but one that is not uncommon in orthopaedics," he said.

He added that the main risks that people of Reagan's age and condition faced in their recuperation were heart failure and pneumonia.

Mrs. Reagan 'glued to his side'

Nancy Reagan has been with her husband since he was hospitalized Friday afternoon at St. John's Health Center after falling Friday at the couple's home in the Bel-Air section of Los Angeles. "Mrs. Reagan is glued to his side," Drake said, adding that the former first lady spent both Friday and Saturday nights at the hospital.

Mrs. Reagan has received hundreds of calls, Drake said, "and she's appreciative of that." Asked how Mrs. Reagan was coping, Drake said, "She's a monument of strength. ... She's taking it one day at a time."

Daughter Patti Davis visited on Saturday, as did son and daughter-in-law Michael and Colleen Reagan.

Youngest son, Ron Reagan, telephoned from Seattle, Washington, and plans to visit his father in the hospital in the next few days, Drake said.

Reagan's eldest daughter, Maureen, has been undergoing cancer treatments for melanoma at the same hospital since December 11.

HIP FRACTURE FACTS Click through

Best wishes from presidents -- past, present and future

In a statement issued Sunday, President Clinton sent well-wishes to the former president and his family. "Hillary and I are relieved that President Reagan's treatment for his injury appears to have been successful," Clinton said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the president, his wife, Nancy, and the entire Reagan family during this difficult period. We join all Americans in wishing him a speedy recovery."

President-elect George W. Bush called Mrs. Reagan before the surgery while former President Gerald Ford called during the operation and left a message for Mrs. Reagan. The Rev. Billy Graham sent a faxed message wishing the Reagans well.

At 69, Ronald Reagan was the oldest man ever elected president of the United States. He maintained a thumbs-up demeanor for the public after a 1981 assassination attempt in which he was hit in the upper chest by a bullet.

He also went through several bouts with illness -- including surgery for skin cancer, to remove a suspicious polyp and for enlargement of the prostate -- during and after his presidency.

CNN Correspondent Jim Hill contributed to this report.

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The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  •  Hip Fracture

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