Peter Mayhew undergoes double knee replacement surgery

Star Wars actor Peter Mayhew is recovering after undergoing double knee replacement surgery. The towering Brit, who portrayed Chewbacca in the sci-fi film franchise, went under the knife at the Plaza Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas on Monday (09Sep13).
Mayhew, who suffers from excessive growth condition gigantism, also underwent a procedure to stretch his tendons and stabilise his legs in a bid to help him walk properly. According to his wife, Angie, the seven foot, three inch (2.2 metre)-tall actor has been using a wheelchair for the past two years.
The 69 year old’s medical issues have also been documented on camera for the forthcoming film Standing in the Stars – The Peter Mayhew Story, which will detail his daily struggles with his height.
Mayhew’s surgery comes just days after it was reported that fellow Brit Dame Judi Dench is set to a undergo similar operation after struggling with chronic joint pain. Reports suggest the actress will have one knee replaced later this month (Sep13), while a second surgery will take place in the New Year (14).