Joe Biden sprains his ankle after slipping while playing with dog

American president-elect Joe Biden has sprained his ankle after slipping while playing with his dog, according to his doctor.

In a brief statement, Biden’s office said the incident happened on Saturday and that the 78-year-old was being examined by a bone specialist on Sunday “out of an abundance of caution”.

Biden later visited an orthopaedic specialist in Newark, Delaware. According to a statement from his doctor, Kevin O’Connor, Biden sustained a sprain of his right foot and while “initial X-rays are reassuring that there is no obvious fracture,” he’ll be receiving a CT scan for further review.

Reporters travelling with him were held on a bus and could not see him enter the building.

Biden will be the oldest person to assume the American presidency when he is sworn in next year and his health is likely to be watched closely by allies and opponents alike.

Biden was playing with Major, one of his family’s two German shepherds – expected to become the first rescue dog to live in the White House.

Biden and his wife, Jill, adopted Major in 2018, having acquired their first dog, Champ, after the 2008 election. The Bidens have said they will be bringing their dogs to the White House and also plan to get a cat.

Biden has frequently dismissed questions about his age on the campaign trail. He released a doctor’s report in December that disclosed he takes statin tablets to keep his cholesterol at healthy levels, but his doctor described him as “healthy, vigorous” and “fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency”.

Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report.