Palace: Spanish King Recovers after Achilles Operation

Spain's King Juan Carlos was discharged from a Madrid health clinic Monday after undergoing a successful Achilles tendon operation on his left foot overnight, the palace said.

"The procedure went well and the king has already returned to Zarzuela Palace" on the outskirts of Madrid, a palace spokesman said.

The popular 73-year-old monarch was admitted to Madrid's San Jose clinic where surgeons performed a "small operation" under local anesthetic.

He will now embark on a "long program of rehabilitation" and will be temporarily immobilized, according to the palace.

Juan Carlos also underwent knee surgery on June 3 and has since been seen in public using a crutch.

Juan Carlos was proclaimed king in 1975, two days after the death of General Francisco Franco who had designated him as successor since 1969.