November 2006
Penn State coach Joe Paterno broke his left leg and damaged a knee ligament when a player ran into him during the Nittany Lions’ loss to Wisconsin, and team officials said Sunday that surgery was being considered.
The injury Saturday to the top of Paterno’s tibia, or shinbone, typically heals on its own with rehabilitation, said Guido D’Elia, director of communications for football. Doctors and team officials were considering whether surgery would help the leg heal faster, D’Elia said
Paterno had some ligament damage to the left knee, though the extent was unknown, assistant athletic director Jeff Nelson said. The diagnosis was made by team doctor Wayne Sebastianelli after tests Saturday night and Sunday.
Paterno, who turns 80 next month, was trying to maintain his normal routine while working from home on Sunday, reviewing tapes and getting ready for Saturday’s game at home against Temple.