Clinton facing surgery, lengthy recuperation after breaking elbow

US Secretary of State Clinton faces surgery and a lengthy recuperation after breaking her right elbow during a tumble.

Washington, June 19 : US Secretary of State Clinton faces surgery and a lengthy recuperation after breaking her right elbow during a tumble.

Husband Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea rushed to Washington to tend to the former First Lady at their Embassy Row home. Her public appearances were canceled for Thursday.

"She is at home resting comfortably - or uncomfortably. She is working from home. She has already taken some calls, and I'm sure learning ... how well you can text with one arm in a sling," said State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley.

Orthopedic surgeons say it's routine for patients who sustain a fracture requiring surgery to be given pain medication, the Daily News reported.

Hillary Clinton will have an operation, likely involving screws and possibly a plate to realign the bones, within a few days. She is expected to return quickly to work.

"I don't think it was a severe break, which is why I think, she will have the surgery in the coming days," Crowley said.

He added it was too early to tell if she'll be forced to postpone upcoming trips to Italy and Greece.

The full extent of the damage to Clinton's elbow comprising the humerus, radius and ulna bones may not be known until she goes under the knife.

Dr. Bradford Parsons, an orthopedic surgeon at Mount Sinai Medical Center, said Clinton's surgery could last up to four hours. He said she should expect her right arm to be out of commission for at least a month.

Clinton fell about 5 p.m. in the State Department basement while heading for her car and a White House meeting along with special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke.

ANI