Brazil's Lula leaves hospital after hip surgery

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was released from the hospital on Sunday after undergoing hip surgery. He will spend the next three weeks recovering at the Alvorada presidential residence. The surgery, which took place at the Sirio-Libanes Hospital, was necessary due to arthrosis in his right hip caused by the deterioration of the cartilage on the femur.

Originally, Lula’s doctors expected him to remain in the hospital until Tuesday, but he made progress in his physiotherapy sessions and was able to walk on Saturday. On Sunday, he even navigated stairs without any issues. However, as advised by his orthopedic surgeon Giancarlo Polesello, Lula will need to exercise caution and avoid prolonged periods of standing. In the initial weeks of his recovery, he will also need to use a walker as the procedure affected his balance.

The surgery, performed under general anesthesia, involved the removal of the femur’s head and the implantation of a prosthesis. Lula has been suffering from chronic pain for over a year, but it has not prevented him from carrying out his presidential duties or traveling to numerous countries.

However, Lula will refrain from international trips until the end of November when he plans to attend the COP28 global climate meeting in the United Arab Emirates. In the meantime, he will continue to govern from the Alvorada Palace.

Reporting by Anthony Boadle, Editing by Aurora Ellis