McConnell discharged from hospital after concussion, fractured rib

McConnell discharged from hospital after concussion, fractured rib
Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE

(WASHINGTON) — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was discharged from the hospital on Monday after suffering a concussion from a Wednesday night fall, according to a statement from his communications director, David Popp.

He’ll now head to an inpatient rehabilitation facility for physical therapy, Popp said.

“At the advice of his physician, the next step will be a period of physical therapy at an inpatient rehabilitation facility before he returns home,” Popp said.

Popp said McConnell’s recovery from a concussion is “proceeding well.”

McConnell, who’s 81, also suffered a “minor rib fracture” during the fall on Wednesday, per the statement, an injury not previously revealed.

A McConnell aide said the senator is not expected back at work this week.

With regard to how long he might need to get therapy, the aide said, “That decision will be made by the Leader’s physicians and the therapists. It is very common to undergo physical therapy to regain strength after a hospital stay and this ranges anywhere from a week to two weeks.”

McConnell has walked with a limp after overcoming polio at a young age and suffered a fall in early August 2019, fracturing his shoulder.

He has served as Senate Republican leader since 2007 and became the longest-serving party leader in the history of the Senate earlier this year.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.