The surgery was to “stabilize several vertebrae on the spinal cord to complement the previous surgery on Nov. 24, in line with the treatment plan recommended by the medical team.” The second stage of physical therapy for the king will now follow, the statement added.

The court statement also said that the king has issued a directive that reports on the state of his health should be made public with transparency.

The king flew to New York for medical treatment on Nov. 22 following a slipped disc and a blood clot pressing on the nerves in his back.

The first surgery at the New York Presbyterian Hospital extracted the clot and corrected the disc. Following the success of the operation, the king was in good health and walking in the hospital, Second Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Prince Naif said on Nov. 27.

On Nov. 28, Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah issued a statement about the king’s health, saying: “I would like to reassure everyone that his health is sound and he has started a course of physical therapy and rehabilitation as recommended by the doctors treating him.”