Venezuela's Chavez says no knee surgery needed

CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says his doctors have ruled out surgery on his injured knee and that he has been recovering.

Chavez says swelling and pain have continued to diminish in his left knee since he hurt it a week ago.

Chavez had said a few days ago that his doctors were considering arthroscopic surgery.

But he told state television by telephone on Sunday that they have decided against it for now. He says he expects to be using crutches for a week or two.

Chavez canceled a trip to Brazil, Ecuador and Cuba as a result last week, and has not appeared in public.

Chavez says the injury occurred when he was jogging and hit his knee.