In reply to stevo 30:
UNfortuately yes... I did mine skiing 2 years ago, along with the ACL and MCL ligaments. You need to do the RICE - rest ice compression elevation and get an MRI scan ASAP which will give an indication of damage but isn't exact.
Your muscles will start to waste pretty quickly so to help avoid that you need to learn how to do Static quad exercises to keep the quad muscle firing which is basically yensing and untensing the muscle. A physio will help you do that so go see your GP and egt a physio referral and they will be able to advise you on what you can be doing while it settles down a little.
But fear not.. theres no reason you shouldn't get back to doing everything and more! feel free to PM if you want more info, I have turned into a bit of a knee geek over the last couple years!!!
Ali
Learn about the structure of the knee - there is loads on the internet about cartilage and ligament injuries, but Chester Knee Clinic has a good site with loads of info - www.kneeclinic.info/index. That way when you go back next week to see the orthopod you will understand much more what hes talking about and what the options are.
How did it happen? Is it giving way when you say buckling or locking up? Obviously you can't diagnose over a forum but if it is completely giving way that is a sign of ligament damage as well. its pretty important to minimise any more buckling etc as this risks further injury (what I did!)