“GMA”'s Lara Spencer Undergoes Double Foot Surgeries After Decades of Living with Pain from College Accident
The cohost of ABC’s 'Good Morning America' will be wearing medical boots for at least six weeks following her surgeries
Lara Spencer/Instagram
Lara Spencer shared an update on Instagram after having surgery on both feetLara Spencer isn't kicking back despite being in recovery from painful surgery on both of her feet.
On Friday, Dec. 13, the 55-year-old journalist returned to Good Morning America to reveal "all is well" following double foot surgeries.
"Yes, just kicking back, you know, relaxing. The uzhe. Ah, yes, I feel fine," she told cohost George Stephanopoulos. "Thank you, George, for asking. All is well."
The GMA cohost had revealed on Instagram a day prior that an ongoing health issue was why she wasn't present on the show earlier this week.
“If I look a little groggy, it's thanks to this guy who just gave me a new pair of boots (frame 2 - wish they were cowboy boots but that will come in about 6 weeks hopefully),” she wrote on Instagram. “My right foot was easy-just had plate removed from surgery last year."
Spencer was all smiles in a selfie taken with Dr. Marty O'Malley, an orthopedic surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.
She also shared a photo of her bandage-covered feet in medical boots as she sat in the back of a car.
“The left is a bigger deal from a very old college diving injury. I was doing a reverse one and a half and hit the board, shattering toes and joints," Spencer said.
“Back then they said there was nothing you could do except tape it, let it heal, and live with the pain. Today there are much better options, thanks to surgeons like Dr Marty O'Malley at HSS. These boots were made for walkin.”
ABC/Paula Lobo/Getty
Lara Spencer, pictured on ABC's Good Morning AmericaRelated: Lara Spencer Shares Adorable Throwback Snap of Her Two Kids as She Marks 'College Drop Off Complete'
Many people were quick to send their well wishes for her recovery and confessed they were surprised she had been wearing heels on TV despite her health battle.
“Jesus!!! Who does both feet at the same time???? My girl, that’s who! So tough! Sending u speedy love to fast recovery! We’ve got dancin to do!” wrote GMA's former medical chief, Dr. Jennifer Ashton.
“Wow! Well no doubt you'll be twirling in no time!” said ABC News 20/20 co-anchor Deborah Roberts.
“Ouch Lara!! Feel better ❤️🩹 didn’t know this about your feet 🦶. 🙏 🙏 for you,” a fan added.
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Lara Spencer, pictured wearing heels on Good Morning AmericaRelated: Who Is Lara Spencer's Husband? All About Rick McVey
Spencer studied at Penn State University where she was on an athletic scholarship for springboard and platform diving, where she presumably suffered her injury. In 1991, she was named an All American Athlete during her senior year and went on to graduate with a degree in broadcast journalism.
“I may be biased, but I don’t think there is a school out there with greater spirit than Penn State," Spencer told Penn State in 2016. "We have overcome a lot and nothing gets us down. We are resilient. We are loyal."
Spencer also celebrated her Penn State diving coach, Craig Brown, back in September.
"This is my college diving coach Craig Brown," Spencer captioned a Sept. 18 Instagram. "Picture two is of this past weekend--when more than 40 of his PENN STATE divers from his incredible tenure of 1985-2013 went to visit him in his home town of Spruce Creek, PA to do for him what he did for all of us both in the pool and in life---help us BELIEVE, never give up, and find the will to keep on fighting for victory. Brownie-if anyone can show cancer the door--it's you. We love you."
Spencer's double-foot operation after she posted about a torn plantar plate and ligament that had been “slowly getting worse and worse," in January 2023.
"Not the boot I was hoping for this Christmas!!!" Spencer wrote at the time. "BUT I did get some shiny new wheels (swipe to see my sexy scooter!!). A torn plantar plate and ligament in my foot that's been slowly getting worse and worse FINALLY fixed by the magnificent Dr O'Malley at HSS today. Didn't want to miss my daughter's last soccer season or the holidays, so here we are! Rollin' into 2023 like....... well, I'm not exactly sure but it should be interesting at work!!!!!"
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