A weight-lifting injury will require Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. to undergo shoulder surgery Friday, making him the third member of his immediate family hospitalized within the past two months.
"Bad things come in threes, so hopefully this will be the end of it," said Lisa Roskelley, Huntsman's spokeswoman.
Huntsman has complained of shoulder pain for the past six months, said Dave Petron, a sports medicine specialist at University Hospital.
Petron gave the governor a steroid injection known as Cortisone to relieve the pain and swelling. And Huntsman created his own exercise routine to strengthen the joint. While working out, he heard a pop. The governor tore a tendon and some muscle in his right rotator cuff.
Surgeon Robert Burks will perform the two-hour arthroscopic procedure at the University of Utah. Huntsman, who is right-handed, is expected to wear a custom sling for at least six weeks.
"He should be able to go back to doing his high-level activities, which will unfortunately include motocross," Petron joked.
Huntsman's son, who is also a motocross enthusiast, broke his right leg while riding with his father at the Miller Motorsports Park in late May.
University Hospital surgeons also treated Jon Huntsman III, 16.
"I stay busy with that family with all of the sports injuries," Petron said.
The governor's daughter, Mary Anne Huntsman, 22, was hospitalized last week with an acute pulmonary embolism, which is a blood clot in the lungs. She was treated with blood thinners.
The governor will still play the keyboards with his band, Politically Incorrect, at the Stadium of Fire celebration today at Brigham Young University, but he won't be shaking many hands, said Roskelley.
He will take a few days off and have a "light schedule" next week, as he heals.
"If there is ever a lull in his job, I guess it would be right now," she said referring to the time between the July 4 and July 24 holidays.
U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch underwent rotator cuff surgery last December on his left shoulder. The 72-year-old senator also had bone spurs removed. He is still undergoing some therapy to keep the shoulder loose.
mcanham@sltrib.com
