SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Doctors, surprised by former President Ronald Reagan’s swift recovery from hip surgery, may speed up his rehabilitation program, his aides say.
“He looks stronger each day and his doctors are considering increasing the number of physical therapy sessions because of this,” said Reagan’s chief of staff, Joanne Drake, said yesterday.
“Mrs. Reagan remains at his side and [participates] in his physical therapy sessions.”
The former president, who will turn 90 on Feb. 6, was rushed to St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica on Friday after falling in his Bel-Air home. Doctors used a pin, plate and screws to mend his broken hip Saturday.
Reagan sat up in bed the day after his operation. He now sits in a chair for 30 minutes at a time, and his appetite is on the upswing, an aide said.
He’s expected to remain hospitalized for another week.