Joe Biden suffers hairline fractures in foot after slipping while playing with his dog

oe Biden fractured his foot while playing with one of his two dogs and will likely have to wear a boot for several weeks, his doctor has said.

The 78-year-old president-elect visited an orthopedist in Newark, Delaware, for an examination after suffering “hairline fractures” on Saturday.

Mr Biden’s doctor Kevin O’Connor said that a CT scan “confirmed hairline (small) fractures of President-elect Biden’s lateral and intermediate cuneiform bones, which are in the mid-foot”.

“It is anticipated that he will likely require a walking boot for several weeks,” he added.

Mr Biden was seen visibly limping as he left the doctor’s office to head to an imaging centre for his CT scan, but he appeared to be walking without a crutch or other aid.

Donald Trump responded to the news the president-elect had been injured. He shared a video of Mr Biden leaving the orthopedic office in Delaware on Twitter with the caption: “Get well soon!”.

The former vice president was under examination for more than two hours after arriving at the doctor’s office on Sunday afternoon.

The Bidens adopted Major in 2018 and got their first dog, Champ, after the 2008 elections. Mr Biden has spoken of his plans to get a cat and also his intention to bring both dogs to the White House.  

At 78, Biden will be the oldest president when he is inaugurated in January, but he frequently dismissed questions about his age on the campaign trail.

He released a doctor’s report in December that disclosed he takes a statin to keep his cholesterol at healthy levels, but his doctor described him as “healthy, vigorous” and “fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency”.

Additional reporting by Associated Press.