[gemy]

Let me clarify further you said Patella ligament Did you mean cranial cruciate ligament sometimes referred to as Anterior Cruciate Ligament? Or did you actually mean the Quadriceps muscle tendonous attachement to the top of the knee cap? It is usually the later rather than the former ie ACL.

Also there is something called conservative medical management for the ACL tears. It would not be cheaper than surgery but requires no surgery and if your gal responds all well and good. So you can treat this injury without surgery.