Inouye hopes for
a speedy recoveryThe senator is resting in Washington
after shoulder joint surgery
U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye was resting yesterday at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., after successfully undergoing an operation on his left shoulder.
Inouye, 79, who lost his right arm during combat in World War II, had a partial replacement of his left shoulder.
The shoulder hemiarthroplasty was scheduled to last 2 1/2 hours, according to Inouye's office. The surgery replaces the ball at the head of the humerus, or arm bone in the shoulder joint.
A spokesman for Inouye's office said the senator cannot have visitors for three days, which is standard procedure to prevent infection.
Inouye's office is asking that well-wishers who want to send flowers donate them to soldiers at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu.
Although the surgeon who performed the operation, Dr. John S. Xenos, said Inouye would need several weeks to recuperate, Inouye's office said the senator was hoping to return to the office next week.
The Senate is on a one-week recess.
