June 19, 2009
Posted: June 19th, 2009 03:25 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to make a full recovery following surgery to repair her fractured right elbow, her doctors said Friday.

Clinton was at home recovering. She fractured her elbow Wednesday in a fall, a State Department spokeswoman said.

"At 7:30 a.m. this morning, Secretary Clinton underwent a two-hour surgery to successfully repair her fractured right elbow," said attorney and Chief-of-Staff Cheryl Mills.

"Her doctors at the George Washington University Hospital have advised her that they expect her to make a full recovery without lasting damage to her arm," Mills said in a statement.

Clinton fell Wednesday afternoon at the State Department on her way to the White House and was taken to George Washington University Hospital. She was treated and released, with the understanding that she would have surgery as soon as possible.

After the operation, Clinton returned to her Washington home, where she will remain with her family through the weekend, Mills said.

Decisions about her schedule will be made soon, she added.

"She, President Clinton and Chelsea are grateful for the many prayers and messages of good will they have received these past few days," Mills said.

Filed under: Hillary Clinton


Melissa   June 19th, 2009 11:32 pm ET

Wish you a speedy recovery Madam Secretary. d

Blue Tiger   June 19th, 2009 10:29 pm ET

Get well soon Madam Secretary.

No Hillary = No Obama   June 19th, 2009 7:58 pm ET

Hillary – you kneed to elbow your way out of this wishy-washy Obama administration and find "your" voice again. Don't stand up in front of the cameras, looking as if you are trying to force the words out of your mouth. If you're not feeling it – your're not feeling it.

Wha dup?   June 19th, 2009 7:52 pm ET

Sen. Clinton sleep, rest, relax,heal, and enjoy being with your family.

May God heal and bless you!

Claudia in Houson   June 19th, 2009 7:48 pm ET

Get well soon Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Boy, this is one title I enjoy typing.

Mick   June 19th, 2009 7:45 pm ET

I wish Hillary all the best and a speedy recovery. She is doing a great job and so is her boss. The country will be better off with the team that is in place. Don't any of you hateful people consider that if Obama was really doing all the things they say he is, the right would be calling for investigations? But no, they just nitpick and nitpick at the edges, and coin nice words for their "free to taxpayers" health care plan, which again is a bit shy on details. But it HAS to be better than Obama's just because the rich white Republicans say so. You know, those folks who hide their money and never worry about health care for the rest of us? If we went to a flat tax and they actually had to PAY some taxes, we would already be able to fund the new system. That is their real fear...that they might be accountable for all their earnings.

Barbara J Davis   June 19th, 2009 7:31 pm ET

Hillary,
Heal fast.....you are sorely needed for your expert ideas and actions! I hope you got a PINK cast.
Barbara
Seal Beach, CA

suzy   June 19th, 2009 7:31 pm ET

You are the best Hillary!!!
Feel better soon!!!!

m smith   June 19th, 2009 7:30 pm ET

It seem that the repos can not even send well wishes to our sec of state. What a sorry bunch. These are the same people that scream about abortion and thum their little bibles. It is a good thing that God has the capacity to forgive. The rest of us think your a sorry bunch of human beings.

Sara   June 19th, 2009 7:22 pm ET

Good grief Tess, Hillary had surgery " this quickly" because the doctors deemed the swelling was down and as it apparently wasn't an open fracture, did not require a lengthy course of pre-antibiotics.

Spend your time reading something besides republican talking points and widen your horizons. You might accidentally get an education.

Gerry   June 19th, 2009 7:18 pm ET

Her surgery should have been successful she did not have to go through government run health care.

Observant   June 19th, 2009 7:15 pm ET

Get Well Soon!!!! The country needs you, here's wishing you a speedy recovery.

Sylvia   June 19th, 2009 7:14 pm ET

I was a visitor in Canada in the early 80's when I fell and broke my elbow in the early afternoon. Before dark my arm had been set and I was out of the emergency room after having received quite excellent and speedy care. I had no insurnace at the time. The cost? $100.00. You will never convince me that the Canadian system is inferior in any way. I later immigrated to Canada for a short time. My daughter and I received prompt excellent care throughout our time there. Don't believe the horror stories. Canadians ARE NOT clamoring for American health care.

annie s   June 19th, 2009 7:01 pm ET

Get well soon Madame Secretary. The President needs you.

Democrat in TX   June 19th, 2009 6:50 pm ET

Get Well Soon, Madam Hillary. We need your voice and presence now, more than ever, amidst this chaotic world that we live in. I am sorry to hear that you fell and was hurt. I can only imagine how much pain you must have been in. I know that you will be back as soon as you can be, because of the fighter that lives within you.

Take care. We will be praying for you, as always.

Thelma Stevenson   June 19th, 2009 6:49 pm ET

Hillary, I will pray for a speedy recover, we need you. My family loves the Bill and Hillary clinton family, have for the last eight years. Jack and thelma Stevenson

Houston Democrat   June 19th, 2009 6:41 pm ET

Good Luck Hillary

You are amazing!

GoHillary16!   June 19th, 2009 6:22 pm ET

Get well Hillary! Before you know it you'll have to take over as the next president.

rachel   June 19th, 2009 6:20 pm ET

glad to hear it. To all the fools out here talking about how our healthcare system works thats because my girl Hillary could afford it had it been anyone without health insurance they probably would have the surgery wasnt neccessary or even if it was they probably wouldnt give it to you if you couldnt pay for it. The issue is not whether our not our medical proffessionals have the now how, the issue is who can afford the medical procedures and how to make sure everyone can get the medical procedures necessary no matter what they do. Time for national healthcare plan. If you have a employer plan you feel is better fine, but for those whose employer cant offer a plan let the government offer up something.

chris w   June 19th, 2009 6:20 pm ET

get well madam secretary clinton please have a very healthy recoverey I love you and may god bless you .I am very please with what you are doing for our country thank you

george   June 19th, 2009 6:10 pm ET

With Sotomayor breaking her ankle and now madam grace breaking her elbow, maybe its time we went back to paliquins for our noble elite.

It doesn't seem as though they can think and walk at the same time – so this would be an ideal solution.

Plus, it will cut back on unemployment.

Jacqueline Deruso   June 19th, 2009 6:01 pm ET

Illnoisman you are out of order. There is no room here for your attitude. Remember, what goes around comes around. Perhaps there will be no compassion or love for you or your family one day in similar circumstances. you might need it some day, and it won't be there. Not a very good feeling. Trust me. Show some love sir. It'll do you good.

matt   June 19th, 2009 5:53 pm ET

@Sniffit...Why is Illinoisman racist? There is nothing in the post even dealing with race. Or is that what you label all Republicans?

Thought so.

matt   June 19th, 2009 5:50 pm ET

Is she the Bionic Woman now? Did they equip her with x-ray eyes too?

dennis   June 19th, 2009 5:50 pm ET

wah I have a broken arm where is my name at....

Jacqueline Deruso   June 19th, 2009 5:49 pm ET

We are praying for a speedy recovery Hillary. Get well soon. We love you.

rkidd   June 19th, 2009 5:48 pm ET

Who cares?

Obama has her sidelined, he sends special envoys to when he needs real talent.

Brian in AZ   June 19th, 2009 5:47 pm ET

It was all planned. She just wanted to get a big cast on her elbow so she can keep Obama from stealing the ball from her when she's driving the lane.

Good to hear it went well.

Flagship, NC   June 19th, 2009 5:43 pm ET

God bless her and keep her well. We need her!

Jon in CA   June 19th, 2009 5:41 pm ET

I wonder if Hillary's surgeon likes Obama Healthcare Plan??

johnny from jersey   June 19th, 2009 5:37 pm ET

get well soon......troubles are brewing in many places......we need you to work your magic, real soon !!!

Larry in PA   June 19th, 2009 5:32 pm ET

Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery!

independent   June 19th, 2009 5:31 pm ET

all you nobamacrats are such lemmings, clinton sucks

ender   June 19th, 2009 5:23 pm ET

Illinoisman.

You are incredibly misinformed. Any nationalized medicine in the world fixes you when you need to be fixed. A person simply cannot walk around with a broken elbow unset. If we had nationalized healthcare her arm would have been set, she may have had to wait a bit if the phisician decided she could but most likely she wouldnt have been made to wait.

Any life threatening illness or accident is taken care of immediatly.

But if you come to the ER complaining about smiffles or sore toes you WILL be made to wait, as it shouod be.

tess   June 19th, 2009 5:21 pm ET

wish everybody could get in to have surgery that fast – oh wait, she doesn't have o'bama care does she? and with her money she never will it is just the rest of us who will have to wait weeks in pain and agony! go hillary – this is just what you want for the poor masses!

Ann   June 19th, 2009 5:16 pm ET

Get well soon Hillary. You are a wonderful person.

David Clark   June 19th, 2009 5:12 pm ET

Illnoisman should change his handle to NOISEMAN.
Madam Clintion has done us well.
Her boss, Mr. President has done a splendid job.
And by the way – WE WON, so sit back an enjoy the ride the next 8 years, dude.

All Good Things   June 19th, 2009 5:03 pm ET

To a speedy recovery.

See, her government healthcare works!

Shari, NY   June 19th, 2009 5:03 pm ET

I wish her a speedy recovery. Yesterday's news gave the impression that surgery would be done in the coming weeks. Better sooner than later.

Vincent Petrosino   June 19th, 2009 5:02 pm ET

God bless her and keep her well. She has become a GREAT secretary of state and a true team player.

Illinoisman   June 19th, 2009 4:57 pm ET

Good thing she got it done before the new health plan or she might have to go a week or two before they could get her it to surgery.

Dawn In Pa   June 19th, 2009 4:50 pm ET

get well soon, madam Secretary Clinton,

Eleanore   June 19th, 2009 4:47 pm ET

Get well soon!!!

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