Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler has said that he checked into rehab in order to find a “safe environment” to recover from surgery on his feet.

In a statement, Tyler said the pain caused by the operations had been “greater than I’d expected”.

Tyler omitted himself into Aurora Las Encinas Hospital in Los Angeles earlier this month. Initial reports had claimed that he was seeking treatment for unspecified substance abuse.

"The doctors told me the pain in my feet could be corrected but it would require a few surgeries over time," Tyler said. "The 'foot repair' pain was intense, greater than I'd anticipated.

“The months of rehabilitative care and the painful strain of physical therapy were traumatic. I really needed a safe environment to recuperate where I could shut off my phone and get back on my feet."

The 60-year-old was known for heavy drug and alcohol abuse in the 1970s and early 1980s, but completed rehabilitation in 1986, after which Aerosmith enjoyed a successful revival.

Aerosmith are best known for their elaborate rock’n’roll music in the 1970s, which included the hits ‘Walk This Way’ and ‘Back In The Saddle’.

(by Jason Gregory)