Dalai Lama recovery post knee surgery very good: Personal physician

By Tsering Dhundup

DHARAMSHALA, July 4: Foremost Buddhist figure His Holiness the Dalai Lama is making swift recovery following knee surgery, according to an update provided by his physicians in an update on the fifth day of the knee surgery on Wednesday in New York, US. The Tibetan spiritual leader, who underwent the knee replacement procedure at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York, has been staying at the Park Hyatt since his discharge from the hospital.

“His Holiness is rapidly recovering and is able to walk. Soon, he will move to a place with a better environment. Tibetans inside Tibet and in exile should not be worried over this condition. There’s nothing to worry about,” said Dr. Tsetan D. Sadutshang, the personal physicians of the Dalai Lama at a press conference at the Park Hyatt New York.

In a medical bulletin, Dr. David J. Mayman, Chief of the Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Service at HSS, detailed the recovery process. “During the first week after knee replacement, the primary objective is to minimize inflammation and swelling. His Holiness is mobile and walking with our physical therapy team.” Dr. Mayman added, “I would expect His Holiness to continue to improve in terms of his knee and walking over this coming year.”

Given his positive progress, the Dalai Lama is expected to leave his current hotel accommodation for a more commodious place to aid in his continued recovery in the coming days.

Meanwhile, the Park Hyatt has become place for worship for devotees. Large numbers of followers have flocked to the hotel to pray and circumambulate the building, expressing their devotion and wishing for His Holiness’s swift recovery.