LONDON, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Actress Laura Innes, who plays Dr. Kerry Weaver on the U.S. hit TV series "ER," says her character's limp has caused real life damage to her spine.
The 47-year-old actress says that during her 10 years on the popular NBC medical drama, having to imitate Weaver's limp has caused her no little discomfort in her real life, the Mirror reported.
"My real back was getting screwed up," Innes said of the experience. "I got a bone density test and the bottom of my spine is starting to curve on one side from 10 years of raising my hip."
"ER" producers have since had Innes' character undergo a hip operation to limit her limp and use of a crutch -- a move that the actress said took some getting used to, but ultimately proved fruitful for her on the series and in her own life.
"I felt very self conscious," Innes told the Mirror. "For a couple of episodes I certainly felt like I needed my crutch.
"But now I like it for a couple of reasons," she said. "One, it's fun to have the freedom with my hands and two, my real back was getting screwed up."
