The Philippine Online Chronicles

An “inherent bone problem,” not an infection, was found to be the problem behind the failure of former President and current Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's recent surgery, doctors said.

Dr. Juliet Gopez-Cervantes noted that the former president has a condition called hypoparathyroidism causing her calcium level to decrease, weakening the bones.

“There is a likelihood the former President has an inherent bone problem affecting the screws of the [spinal] implant,” said Cervantes. “This poor bone quality leads to loosening or disgorgement of the implant.”

Arroyo is slated to have her third surgery on Tuesday next week.

“We decided that the next surgery will be earlier than it was planned before. We said before that because of the infection we have to adequately treat this and the minimum time for the surgery to take place is after three weeks. Now, since the problem is not the infection, we are moving the surgery earlier,” Cervantes explained.

Arroyo is taking calcium and Vitamin D to treat her condition.

Arroyo underwent cervical spine surgery last July 29, and a revision surgery on August 10 due to a dislodged titanium implant.

“We are now in a situation where we are supplying all the necessary raw materials or ingredients that are needed to have stable and strong bones in preparation for the next surgery,” Cervantes said.

In the upcoming surgery, a mesh with bone grafts to be harvested from Arroyo's pelvic bone will be placed in her spine to help strengthen the implant that was earlier positioned there.

In stable condition

The doctors also clarified that Arroyo is now stable and “she's actually doing very well. She's able to walk around, eat, do regular activities, she's watching TV, doing a lot of reading.”

However, Cervantes also insisted that, “Among us members of the team, we never said those statements that she [was] in critical condition and needed to seek medical treatment abroad.”

The statement is contrary to an earlier statement from Arroyo's legal spokesperson saying doctors recommended that Arroyo be treated abroad.

Arroyo's former election lawyer Romulo Macalintal had also called for the suspension of all proceedings against the former first couple “because of their present emotional and physical condition.”

The Pampanga representative is facing multiple plunder charges before the Department of Justice while her husband Mike Arroyo is allegedly involved in the anomalous purchase of Philippine National Police choppers.