MANILA, Philippines - Following the controversial release of former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from four years of hospital arrest, netizens have questioned why she is not wearing her titanium neck brace.
Arroyo was cleared from the plunder case over the alleged misuse of P366 million in PCSO funds from 2008 to 2010 after the Supreme Court (11-4) ruled in her favor.
Hours after the verdict was released, a photo of the seemingly healthy former President and current Pampanga representative went viral online. Netizens immediately noticed that Arroyo wasn’t wearing a neck brace, something she would normally wear during her previous appearances.
In his interview with CNN Philippines, Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Bruce Canto explained that Arroyo, who has been diagnosed with multilevel cervical spondylosis in August 2011, does need to wear the neck brace all the time.
"Patients with cervical spondylosis, their necks can be unstable so sometimes the instability will sometimes cause the patient chronic pain. If the neck muscles are also weak in terms of supporting the head, we sometimes advise the use of the neck brace to help for the support,” Dr. Canto said.
According to Dr. Canto, patients suffering from severe neck pain or those who went through surgery should not use the neck brace for a long period of time.
The former President underwent two surgeries in 2011 and currently needs further treatment.
Arroyo’s legal counsel Larry Gadon said his client would wear the brace to avoid straining her neck that would lead to more pain. Gadon pointed out that wearing the brace all the time would be too uncomfortable for the patient.
Gadon also revealed that Arroyo only wears her neck brace whenever she feels pain, is on a reclining position or when exercising in the morning.
--Mini, The Summit Express
 |
| Why is former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo isn’t wearing her neck brace now? PHOTO CREDIT: www.cbc.ca |
Hours after the verdict was released, a photo of the seemingly healthy former President and current Pampanga representative went viral online. Netizens immediately noticed that Arroyo wasn’t wearing a neck brace, something she would normally wear during her previous appearances.
In his interview with CNN Philippines, Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Bruce Canto explained that Arroyo, who has been diagnosed with multilevel cervical spondylosis in August 2011, does need to wear the neck brace all the time.
"Patients with cervical spondylosis, their necks can be unstable so sometimes the instability will sometimes cause the patient chronic pain. If the neck muscles are also weak in terms of supporting the head, we sometimes advise the use of the neck brace to help for the support,” Dr. Canto said.
According to Dr. Canto, patients suffering from severe neck pain or those who went through surgery should not use the neck brace for a long period of time.
The former President underwent two surgeries in 2011 and currently needs further treatment.
Arroyo’s legal counsel Larry Gadon said his client would wear the brace to avoid straining her neck that would lead to more pain. Gadon pointed out that wearing the brace all the time would be too uncomfortable for the patient.
Gadon also revealed that Arroyo only wears her neck brace whenever she feels pain, is on a reclining position or when exercising in the morning.
--Mini, The Summit Express
