NE Governor to Undergo Rib Surgery After Fall

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is not exactly having the best of holidays this season.

Several days ago, it was reported that Pillen had taken a bad fall off his horse.

Now, reports are surfacing that the governor has to undergo surgery for injuries related to that fall.

Bad Fall

On Sunday, Pillen had taken a very nasty fall when his horse bucked him.

Reports surfaced on Monday that he had lacerations to his spleen and kidney as well as broken ribs and a collapsed lung.

Pillen was apparently breaking in a new horse when the fall occurred.

His office, at the time, stated, "Gov. Pillen was transported to Nebraska Medicine Sunday afternoon after a horseback riding accident while riding with his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter near Columbus.

“The governor's injuries included minor lacerations to his spleen and kidney, seven broken ribs, a partially collapsed lung resulting from the rib damage, and a minor fracture in one of his vertebrae. There were no injuries to his neck, head, nervous system or additional internal organs."

While the injuries were serious, they were not believed to be life-threatening.

On Christmas day, it was reported that doctors were going to perform a rib fixation surgery, which would require several metal plates to be installed to stabilize the ribs.

His office explained, “Based on the Governor’s health profile and active lifestyle, his doctors consider him an ideal candidate for this procedure. Nebraska Medicine has emerged as a national leader in rib fixation operations.”

Pillen will remain in the hospital for several days after the surgery, and his office added that the governor expects to be able to work from his hospital bed until he is released, likely over the weekend or early next week, barring any surgical complications.

Get well, governor, because we need you back in the fight!