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Saturday, October 11, 2025

"DOCTORS DISCUSS PLANS TO OPERATE"

SENATOR KENNEDY ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY

New York City (JFK+50) On October 11, 1954, Senator John F. Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) was admitted to the Hospital for Special Surgery at Cornell Medical Center here in New York City.

Doctors discussed plans to operate on the Senator to repair a ruptured disk in his spine.  Mr. Kennedy required the "near constant" use of crutches which along with pain was a major factor in his decision to agree to the operation.

JFK+50 NOTE

Senator Kennedy had a lumbosacral fusion operation at the Hospital for Special Surgery on October 21, 1954.  It was a three hour procedure that left JFK with an "open, gaping, very sickly looking hole" in his back.

SOURCES

"Senator Kennedy Admitted To Hospital For Back Problems," JFK+50, October 11, 2011, www.jfk50.blogspot.com/

"The Senate Years, Second Back Surgery--Lumbosacral Instrumentation & Fusion With Dr. Philip Wilson Sr.", Journal of Neurosurgery, July 11, 2017, www.thejns.org/


JFK Leaves Hospital Following Spinal Surgery
Photo by DeMarsico
Library of Congress
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