Spain’s king successfully undergoes knee operation that sparked alarm about health

MADRID – Spain’s King Juan Carlos successfully underwent knee replacement surgery Friday that sparked alarm about his overall health, irking the monarch.

The king underwent the corrective surgery on his right knee at Madrid’s San Jose Hospital, Zarzuela Palace said, adding that there were no complications

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The operation was decided on to “alleviate a painful knee joint,” Dr. Angel Villamor said at a news conference at the hospital.

The king was expected to make a full recovery after successfully receiving a knee replacement titanium implant, Villamor said.

The 73-year-old head of state testily accused the media this week of trying to depict him as being at death’s door after the announcement of the knee operation. The monarch had a benign tumour removed from his right lung last year.

The palace said he needed the latest procedure to correct lingering injuries from past sport activities.