COLUMBUS, Ohio — The first step in Olympic gold medalist Paul Hamm's recovery is already done.

Hamm had surgery today to repair the broken bone in his right hand, and will begin physical therapy Thursday.

"The surgery went perfectly and we are already ahead of schedule," the gymnast said through his agent, Sheryl Shade.

Hamm had surgery at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, where he and twin brother Morgan train. Dr. Lawrence Lubbers inserted a plate and nine screws to repair the fourth metacarpal, which Hamm broke Thursday night in the final seconds of his parallel bars routine at the U.S. gymnastics championships.

Hamm will wear a compression sleeve until he sees Lubbers again Thursday, and will start physical therapy after that appointment.