[media-credit name=’BEN CLASSON/Herald photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]University of Wisconsin Hospital doctors said Wednesday night Gov. Jim Doyle is recovering nicely from an elective hip operation.

Orthopedic surgeon Richard Illgen, who performed the surgery on Doyle's left hip, said at a press conference that the governor would be able to resume his administrative duties shortly.

In the meantime, Doyle will remain in the hospital for several days of physical therapy. Illgen said the 61-year-old governor could require crutches for three to six weeks and may transition to a cane.

Illgen would not speculate Tuesday night when Doyle may be able to return to his normal activities pain-free.

"His hip has been arthritic for many years," Illgen said. "Following the surgery, the governor was awake, alert and comfortable in the recovery room."

Doyle spokesperson Carla Vigue said the governor opted for the surgery because of some pain he has been experiencing lately.

"The governor has been active … and has been experiencing some left hip pain," Vigue said.

Illgen and a team of UW Hospital medical staff performed a hip resurfacing operation, which is slightly different from the traditional total hip replacement.

Hip resurfacing, a relatively new procedure, involves removing less bone from the hip joint and resurfacing the joint with metal, Illgen said. It is meant for young and active patients, whereas hip replacement is the primary way to treat severe hip arthritis.

"One of the main benefits is you spare a lot of bone," Illgen said. He added if subsequent surgery is required, there will be more bone available to work with than a hip replacement.

Illgen said the procedure has been performed about 30 times at UW Hospital since its approval in July 2006. The operation has a good track record internationally, Illgen added, but it hasn't been performed too extensively in the United States.

Illgen said Doyle's operation took two-and-a-half hours to perform with an incision four to five inches long, adding the goal was "not too big, not too small."

Due to the surgery, Doyle will miss the upcoming meeting of the National Governors Association in Washington, D.C., scheduled for Saturday through Feb. 28.