N.J. Gov. Recovering After Leg Surgery

Emergency workers surround a vehicle involved in an accident in which New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine was a passenger on the northbound lanes of the Garden State Parkway Thursday, April 12, 2007. The crash on the Garden State Parkway broke the governor's leg, six ribs, his sternum and fracturing a vertebrae. Authorities were still searching for a pickup truck driver whose actions were blamed for causing it. The governor had been enroute to Princeton to moderate a meeting between the Rutgers Women's basketball team and radio personality Don Imus. (AP Photo/The Star Ledger, Matt Rainey) (Matt Rainey - AP)

The governor's femur bone was broken in two places, and it protruded through his skin. He also suffered a broken sternum, 12 broken ribs, a head laceration and a minor fracture on a lower vertebra, according to doctors at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where he was flown by helicopter after the crash. Corzine, 60, did not appear to suffer any brain damage.

His injuries were not considered life-threatening, but doctors say the governor faces lengthy rehabilitation. And it will likely be at least three to six months before he can walk normally.

A similar surgery to clean out Corzine's femur was planned again Monday, Dr. Robert F. Ostrum said.

Tom Shea, the governor's chief of staff, said he was hopeful Corzine could resume his duties in "a week or so," depending on doctor recommendations. Shea said it was possible Corzine would govern from his hospital bed.

Corzine was moved to the trauma intensive care unit after surgery Thursday night and remained in critical but stable condition Saturday.

Senate President Richard Codey officially became acting governor Thursday evening after getting a fax from Corzine's office saying the governor had been injured.

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Associated Press writer Beth DeFalco contributed to this report from Trenton.