WILMINGTON, Del. – President-elect Joe Biden suffered hairline fractures in his “mid-foot” after playing with his dog over the weekend in an injury that will likely require him to wear a walking boot, his transition team announced on Sunday.
The 78-year-old sustained the injury while playing with his dog, Major, one of two German shepherds owned by the Biden family. Biden slipped and twisted his ankle and initial x-rays did not show any obvious fracture but a CT scan revealed hairline fractures.
“Initial x-rays did not show any obvious fracture, but his clinical exam warranted more detailed imaging,” Dr. Kevin O’Connor said Sunday in a statement. “Follow-up CT scan confirmed hairline (small) fractures of President-elect Biden’s lateral and intermediate cuneiform bones, which are in the mid-foot. It is anticipated that he will likely require a walking boot for several weeks.”
Earlier Sunday afternoon, Biden’s transition team announced he was going to be examined by an orthopedist “out of an abundance of caution”.
At age 78, Biden will become the oldest president in U.S. history. Back during the campaign, Biden’s team released a statement from doctors saying former vice president was healthy and fit for the presidency.
The release included results of Biden’s physical exam, which was conducted by O’Connor, who has been Biden’s primary care doctor since 2009.
The Biden family has two dogs, Major and Champ. Over the weekend it was reported the President-elect will be bringing a cat into the White House for the first time since Bill Clinton bought his cat, Socks back in 1993.
The Biden’s rescued Major from the Delaware Humane Association back in 2008 and he has been a part of the family ever since, expecting to move into the White House in January 2020.
Outgoing President Donald Trump tweeted well wishes for Biden to get well soon.
