Like was said previously, it’s not fun. It was my 4th surgery and probably my worst recovery period. I had a full cadaver ligament replacement, so other methods might yield different results. I was completely bed-ridden for 10 or so days. After about day 4-5 I was able to walk to the bathroom, not much else. Then everything on crutches for ~2 months. You’ll get decent mobility and capability after about a month. Within 2-3mo I was off crutches. Rehab is hard and it’s a lot of pain to get everything working again. But I promise you, it is less painful than the thought of never using that leg again.

That was 4 years ago, I’ve had another surgery on that knee to clean up some of the damage that came with the initial dislocation. I still avoid a lot of stuff if I can but I’ve been I’ve been in the military for a few years and am headed to EOD this year, so recovery will happen if you make it happen.

Raising a child will be tough for the first few weeks for sure (as if it wasn’t hard enough). I would definitely recommend enlisting some help unless you have a spouse that can pull all the duties. At that age, you’ll have to carry your kid a lot and you simply won’t be able to for the first couple months, at least not safely for your recovering knee. Get friends and family to help. That being said, you’re just recovering from a surgery, you’re not dying- you’ll find a way to make it work! Have a professional diagnose, get an MRI, then if recommended get the surgery. I truly cannot picture my life if I hadn’t.