© 2024 St. Louis Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Surgeon: Sen. Kirk's condition upgraded to good

Senator Mark Kirk (R-Illinois).
(Sean Powers/WILL)
Senator Mark Kirk (R-Illinois).

Doctors say Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk has been upgraded to good condition and is continuing to improve after a major stroke.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital neurosurgeon Richard Fessler says Kirk is visiting with family and watched the Super Bowl.

In a Monday statement, Fessler says Kirk will be able to start rehabilitation soon.

The 52-year-old Republican was in good health when he was stricken last month.

Doctors believe a clot developed from a tear in an artery in his neck and lodged in his brain. Surgeons removed part of his skull to relieve pressure and allow the brain to swell. Surgeons also removed two small pieces of brain tissue destroyed by the stroke.

Fessler has said that the stroke will affect movement on the left side of Kirk's body.