Justice Breyer has shoulder surgery after bike accident

[undeterred]

Source: USA Today

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer broke his right shoulder Saturday in a fall from his bicycle in downtown Washington, the court said.

Breyer, 74, was taken to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital by ambulance and underwent reverse shoulder replacement surgery -- similar to standard replacement surgery -- court spokeswoman Kathleen Arberg said in a statement. Breyer was bicycling near the Korean War Veterans Memorial along the Mall when the accident occurred, the statement said. No further details on the were provided.

"The justice is resting comfortably" and is expected to be released from the hospital within a few days, the announcement said. The justice previously broke his collarbone in an accident in 2011 and sustained broken ribs and a punctured lung in a bicycle mishap in 1993, before he joined the court.

The court has finished holding hearings for the current term, and is now beginning the work on remaining opinions, with a recess for the summer likely in late June. Breyer, a San Francisco native, was appointed to the court in 1994 by President Clinton to replace retiring justice Harry Blackmun.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/04/27/justice-breyer-shoulder-surgery/2117649/

[elleng]

1. OH GEE!

Nice weather in the neighborhood. This is probably a busy time at the Court, as they're likely trying to wrap up the most difficult cases.

[ISW]

2. Justice Breyer, you might want to...

consider a stationary bike. I can assure you that it is much safer.

[Posteritatis]

4. How dare the elderly exercise outdoors?

Oy.

[CTyankee]

8. I think ISW was having the same "moment" I had when I saw it...

He's a good one and we want him to be OK. This is his second mishap. At some point (and I am older so I know this only too well), you can't do what you used to do. You have to modify. What's wrong with that? geez...

[frazzled]

11. My dad didn't switch to a stationary bike till he was 92

He swerved to avoid a car when he was 89, hit a curb, and broke his hip when he went flying. He was riding 30-40 miles a day at that age. He managed to get over the hip thing (walks funny but could still ride a bike). We finally banished him, and he banished himself, to a stationary bike at the gym when his balance and reaction time started getting iffy. He's 96 now, and he still put in 100 miles per week (25 x 4 times a wk) on the stationary bike until just this February, when he was hospitalized with flu and pneumonia. He thought he'd never get back to where he was. He's already up to 20 miles a pop, four times a week. You just can't keep bicyclists down.

My husband broke his shoulder (plus four ribs and punctured a lung) a few years ago. My brother has broken his collar bone and ribs untold times.

As my dad says (when interviewed for the news): "If you haven't had an accident and broken some bones, you're not riding enough."

[hibbing]

14. Hi frazzled

Hi,
My folks both bike and they are in their 80s, my mom has had some serious injuries, but they are both still out there. I wish they would stop, but I'm not sure I could get them to. Being a cyclist myself, I know the enjoyment I get out of it. I worry about them out there though. Thanks for your interesting post.

Peace

[frazzled]

16. Maybe convince them to do spin class or stationary gym bike?

My husband did spin classes to build up his strength for about eight months after his accident. And then he finally got the courage to get back on the road, which I regret. I worry about him every day.

It IS dangerous out there, and not just for older riders. A chink in the pavement that you don't see can send you flying. One of my brother's injuries was due to a dog running out and another cyclist swerving, hitting my brother and sending him over a ravine. It's just a dangerous sport because no matter how good you are, unforeseen things can knock you off that thin tread of tire as you're pumping at fast speeds.

On the other hand, it's probably keeping your parents fit and young ... and happy. And you can't treat your parents like children.

[KamaAina]

3. You don't actually believe he broke his shoulder, do you??

Remember when the teabaggers thought Sonia Sotomayor was faking her broken ankle during her confirmation hearings? Srsly.

[heaven05]

5. he

should just walk. May he heal quickly.

[Gregorian]

6. That is so cool Good for him. Too few people ride bikes.

[tavalon]

7. This is what I have

but I'm younger so I didn't need the surgery. hope he gets well soon

[Demeter]

9. Slow Learner

Does a man with such monumental lack of judgment belong on any kind of court?

[hibbing]

15. question

Hi,
What is the lack of judgment? Cycling at that age?

Peace

[davidpdx]

12. Justice Breyer

Please take care and recover soon. We need you on the court!

[tblue]

13. Thought it said "Justin Beaver"

Haha!

Poor Justice Breyer though. I'm so grateful for him. Sending healing thoughts. I'm impressed he still rides a bike!