Bolsonaro asks Supreme Court for permission to have shoulder surgery while under house arrest

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, currently under house arrest following a conviction related to alleged coup plotting, is seeking judicial approval for a crucial medical procedure. As reported by El Universal, Bolsonaro's legal team has petitioned the Supreme Court, specifically appealing to Justice Alexandre de Moraes, for authorization to undergo surgery on his right shoulder between April 24 and 25.

The request details Bolsonaro's ongoing physical struggles, highlighting a "persistent picture of pain and functional inability" in his shoulder. Medical examinations and imaging have reportedly confirmed a "high-grade tear of the tendon" responsible for arm elevation, along with damage to a stabilizing tendon and a dislocated biceps tendon. This medical necessity, the defense argues, necessitates the surgical intervention for the "repair of the rotator cuff and associated injuries."

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a persistent picture of pain and functional inability in the right shoulder

Bolsonaro has been serving a 27-year sentence since November for allegedly orchestrating a plot to remain in power after losing the 2022 elections. His confinement has seen shifts, from a Federal Police facility to a prison complex, and most recently, to 90 days of house arrest due to severe health issues, including pneumonia. This latest request for surgery underscores the complex intersection of legal proceedings and the health concerns of a high-profile political figure. For us, it raises questions about the conditions of his confinement and the state's responsibility towards the health of all citizens, regardless of their legal status.

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a high-grade lesion of the tendon responsible for elevating the arm and partial damage to another tendon that helps stabilize shoulder movement, in addition to the biceps tendon having come slightly out of place.