Knee injury keeps Schwarzenegger from making appearance at Lake Tahoe Summit

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had arthroscopic surgery Saturday evening to repair a knee injury that caused a last-minute cancellation of his appearance at the Lake Tahoe Summit.

Schwarzenegger had been scheduled to deliver remarks at the top of the summit’s program.

The governor injured his knee about two weeks ago while working out, his office reported. The surgery was the second time the former bodybuilding champion has been under a doctor’s knife in about 20 months.

Schwarzenegger spokesman Matt David said the governor was in good spirits after the operation and attended church on Sunday, walking without assistance.

The governor was under anesthesia for about 45 minutes, during which time the powers of office were transferred to Lt. Gov. John Garamendi.

On Saturday, the governor’s office had said he was reviewing treatment options with his doctor. It wasn’t until Sunday that his office disclosed that surgery had been performed.

David described the surgery on Schwarzenegger’s torn meniscus — cartilage that acts as a shock absorber in the knee — as minor. “He said the surgery went well,” David said. The knee “was just giving him a lot of discomfort.”