CLINTON'S FALL : TORN TENDON REQUIRES SURGERY.

Byline: Robert A. Rankin Knight-Ridder Tribune News Wire

It was just a single step, the bottom of four outside golfer Greg Norman's home, but it was enough to fell the world's most powerful man, tear a tendon in the first knee, and put President Clinton under the knife.

Clinton was rushed into emergency surgery Friday to repair the painfully torn quadriceps tendon in his right knee, and he remained overnight at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

Barring unexpected complications, the president was to be released from the hospital after 48 hours, probably Sunday. He will wear a leg brace and may use crutches for up to eight weeks, doctors said. Physical therapy should begin immediately and could last six months.

``I just had an unlucky break,'' Clinton told a post-operation news conference via telephone from his hospital room. ``You know, this was just an accident. Accidents happen to people.''

An avid golfer and frequent jogger, Clinton probably will not be able to play golf for four to five months or to jog for perhaps six months, said Cmdr. David Wade, chief of clinical services at the naval hospital. ``He will regain the unlimited use of his leg,'' Wade added.

Doctors gave Clinton a local anesthetic for the surgery and, though he dozed off briefly, he was never unconscious before or during the 124-minute operation, which was described as successful. After consultations between Clinton and his physicians, the operating room echoed with songs by pop musician Lyle Lovett during surgery.

Presidential powers were never turned over to Vice President Al Gore, although White House aides reviewed procedures for doing so if necessary. Gore was in California promoting the administration's education initiatives and did not cut his schedule short before returning to Washington on Friday night.

In his post-surgery remarks, Clinton declared his intention to travel to a summit meeting with Russian President Boris N. Yeltsin on Wednesday and Thursday in Helsinki, Finland. And Clinton good-naturedly admonished reporters not to badger his doctors about the trip. ``We're all going to Helsinki. We have to go to Helsinki,'' the president said.

Doctors normally would not recommend such a trip so soon after surgery, Wade conceded, but he added that ``it certainly can be done very safely.'' At least one extra doctor will accompany the president, who never travels without a well-equipped medical unit in his entourage.

Clinton injured himself at 1:20 a.m. Friday when he stumbled on steps at golfer Norman's 80-acre estate in Hobe Sound, Fla., where the president was spending the night.

Clinton had planned to play in a two-day golf tournament that Norman sponsors, but instead was flown home for the operation.

Clinton suffered a greater-than-50 percent tear of his quadriceps tendon, which connects the upper thigh to the kneecap. Doctors cut a four- to five-inch incision down the outside of Clinton's right leg and drilled holes into his kneecap to reconnect the tendon.

``Any operation is a moderate big deal, but this is not a terribly severe injury and not a terribly complicated operation to perform,'' said Wade.

The surgery was performed by Cmdr. David P. Adkison, the chief of orthopedics at the hospital. He was assisted by Lt. Cmdr. Marlene de Maio. Both physicians are trained sports-medicine orthopedic surgeons.

First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton was called at the White House and informed of the mishap early Friday morning. She had been scheduled to leave this morning on a two-week trip to Africa with daughter Chelsea, but decided to delay her departure by one day in light of Clinton's injury.

The president's immediate schedule was tentative. ``We're just waiting to see how he feels,'' said Deputy Press Secretary Mary Ellen Glynn.

Gore was to deliver Clinton's weekly radio address this morning and fill in for the president at tonight's annual Gridiron dinner, where the capital press corps satirizes the mighty. Clinton may call in by telephone, said White House Press Secretary Michael D. McCurry.

The president's injury, obviously less than life-threatening, failed to prompt a cease-fire in Washington's partisan warfare. In fact, it became grist for it.

Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., puckishly suggested that ``somebody said they (Democrats) were going to do fund raising by allowing people to sign his cast.''

Clinton's injury was the result of a freak accident.

After conversing late into the night, Norman was escorting Clinton to a cottage on his estate when the president fell while descending four dark-wood steps to a stone landing. In the darkness, he apparently misjudged the final step, McCurry said.

``He remembers his right knee buckling out. He heard a very loud pop,'' said Navy Capt. Connie Mariano, the president's personal physician.

Alcohol was not a factor, Mariano told reporters while still in Florida.

Paramedics at Norman's estate rushed to the president's side. They found Clinton lying on the ground being comforted by Norman and a Secret Service agent.

The paramedics checked Clinton's vital signs, put ice and a splint on his leg and put him into an ambulance.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos, Box

Photo: (1--Color) President Clinton is helped from Air Force One by Secret Service agent Brian Stafford, right, and others at Andrews AFB.

(2) First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton visits the president after surgery.

Associated Press

Box: Repairing Clinton's injured knee

Knight-Ridder Tribune/PETER KOHAMA and TIM GOHEEN