Joe Biden sprains his ankle after slipping while playing with a dog | American politics

US President-elect Joe Biden sprained his ankle after slipping while playing with his dog, according to his doctor.

In a brief statement, Biden’s office said the incident happened on Saturday and the 78-year-old was being examined by a bone specialist on Sunday “out of caution.”

Biden then visited an orthopedic specialist in Newark, Delaware. According to a statement from his doctor, Kevin O’Connor, Biden sustained a sprained right foot and although “the initial x-rays are reassuring that there is no obvious fracture” he will receive a CT scan for further examination. .

Journalists traveling with him were detained on a bus and could not see him enter the building.

Biden will be the oldest person to assume the US presidency when he is sworn in next year and his health will likely be closely watched by his allies and opponents.

Biden was playing with Major, one of two German Shepherds in his family – who is expected to become the first rescue dog to live in the White House.

Biden and his wife, Jill, adopted Major in 2018, after acquiring their first dog, Champ, after the 2008 election. The Bidens said they would bring their dogs to the White House and also plan to have a cat .

Biden frequently dismissed questions about his age during the election campaign. He released a medical report in December that found he was taking statin tablets to keep his cholesterol at healthy levels, but his doctor described him as “healthy, vigorous” and “fit to successfully perform the tasks of the Presidency”.

Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report.