Joe Paterno surgery a success

Joe Paterno surgery a success
Monday, November 6, 2006

University Park, Pa. — Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, injured during a sideline collision Saturd
ay at Wisconsin, and his medical team concluded Sunday that the most expedient method to full recovery was surgery. Following a
review of his team’s performance against the Badgers and getting preparations for this week’s Temple game started to his satis
faction, Paterno had surgery Sunday at Mount Nittany Medical Center to repair the injuries to his left leg.

Paterno suffered a tibial plateau fracture of his left leg (top of shin bone) and tore the medial collateral ligament and poste
rior cruciate ligament in his knee, according to Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli, Penn State Director of Athletic Medicine.

Sebastianelli, who performed the surgery, reported today that the surgical team accomplished all of its objectives and that Coa
ch Paterno is resting comfortably with a full recovery expected. Dr. Sebastianelli anticipates Paterno’s left leg to be weight-
bearing within approximately six weeks. Coach Paterno was fitted for a temporary brace and had several screws inserted in the l
eg.

The Penn State Football operations and medical staffs have a mobility plan in place to make Coach Paterno available for team ac
tivities on and off the field. Paterno will take a day to recover from the surgery and is expected to resume activity on Tuesda
y and coach in the game against Temple, which kicks off Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in Beaver Stadium.

Paterno was on the phone this morning with members of the coaching staff, discussing game planning for Temple.

Paterno was injured early in the third quarter when Wisconsin’s DeAndre Levy and Penn State tight end Andrew Quarless tumbled i
nto him after a Quarless catch and tackle by the Badger linebacker near the Penn State sideline.

Fans can send get well wishes to Coach Paterno at https://www.GoPSUsports.com online, t
he official Web site of Penn State Athletics.