BOSTON -- Gov. Deval Patrick is scheduled to undergo hip replacement surgery next month.

The Massachusetts Democrat announced Wednesday he is scheduled for surgery on Sept. 1 at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Harry E. Rubash will perform the procedure.

The governor cited consistent pain caused, in part, by arthritis and a longtime pre-existing injury for the procedure. A two-day recovery period is anticipated, after which, the governor said he will be able to resume official duties. In the interim, Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray will execute urgent state matters.

The governor is expected to be hospitalized for about four days, followed by recuperation time at home.

Hip replacement is major surgery, but not uncommon. Statistics indicate surgeons implant roughly 150,000 artificial hips a year in the United States.

As with all major procedures, risks do exist, primarily including clotting and infection, but the success rate is over 90 percent.

Patrick turned 53 on Friday. Experts said the fact that he is set to have a hip replacement at such a young age is not so unusual anymore. Most patients wait until their 60s and 70s to have the surgery; however, teens have had hip replacements. Technology has significantly improved the results with today's artificial hips able to last a lifetime.

Massachusetts voters elected Patrick, a Harvard University alum, governor in November 2006. He and his wife, Diane, have two adult daughters and have lived in Milton for decades.