Lawyer: Doctors found Arroyo spine condition worsening

Doctors at the St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig City have discovered that the condition of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's spine has worsened, according to one of her lawyers. Lawyer Raul Lambino told GMA News Online in an interview that Mrs. Arroyo's physicians made the discovery after running her under a magnetic resonance imaging test Monday night. "Ito ang nakita nila, ang paglala ng kanyang spine. Hindi na ang dating gulugod kundi sa mas mababang bahagi ng spine," Lambino said. The lawyer said Mrs. Arroyo's doctors continue to closely monitor her condition. "Kinakailangan matignan maigi ng doktor ang kalagayan niya dahil kung hindi, magkakaroon ng problema sa kanyang pangkalahatang kalagayan at baka ito ay maging permanente," he said. Asked if the former president is likely to stay in hospital arrest longer due to her worsening spine condition, Lambino said: "Depende sa doktor iyon. Hindi namin alam kung hanggang kelan siya mananatili doon." Arroyo underwent a spine surgery on July 29, when four of her cervical bones were replaced with bone substitutes held in place by titanium implants, which were dislodged by her weak bones. Doctors then performed revision surgery on August 10, and part of the pelvic bone was implanted on the affected part of the spine. She underwent a third corrective surgery because the implanting of the plates was not in its proper position. Mrs. Arroyo, on temporary hospital arrest following the filing of electoral sabotage case against her last week, wanted to seek medical treatment abroad but is on the Immigration watch list in connection with the case. Her attempt to leave the country Tuesday last week was blocked by the Aquino administration. - KBK, GMA News