Schwarzenegger breaks his leg while skiing

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recuperated at his home in Sun Valley, Idaho, on Sunday, a day after he broke his right leg while skiing.

Photo: Schwarzenegger breaks his leg while skiing

A spokeswoman for the governor said he planned to stay in the ritzy ski resort town where he often vacations at least through Christmas and was "continuing to do well today and looking forward to spending time with his family."

Doctors at the Sun Valley hospital who examined Schwarzenegger after Saturday's accident told him he needs surgery to repair his fractured femur. The operation has not been scheduled and will not take place until he returns to Los Angeles, according to spokeswoman Julie Soderlund.

But the governor has no intention of delaying his second inauguration, Soderlund said. He is planning two days of events to mark the occasion, starting Jan. 4. He is scheduled to be sworn in on Jan. 5.

The governor's staff would not release any details about the events surrounding Schwarzenegger's injury or how it has affected his holiday plans. Soderlund said he was not fitted with a cast and that she did not have information on whether he was using a wheelchair or crutches to get around.

"He is doing well," she said.

Though one of the strongest bones in the human body, the femur is commonly broken in skiing accidents, said Dr. Marc Safran, director of sports medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, Medical Center.

Depending on the location and extent of the break, the governor's surgery could include inserting a rod into his leg, securing the injured section with a plate and screws, or even a partial hip replacement if the injury was up near the hip, Safran said, reports AP.

Recovery can take six weeks or longer, but the governor could be walking in time for the inauguration, likely needing crutches or a cane, Safran said.

Sun Valley, a favorite skiing destination for celebrities, includes a short ski trail named "Arnold's Run" after Schwarzenegger. The trail is categorized as a black diamond, or most difficult, for its challenging terrain.

The name and level of difficulty of the trail the governor was skiing when his accident occurred were not released.