Is this the contractor I suggested cultivating? The broken kneecap is a bit over-the-top Janie, but the results may end up what you need to make home-ownership more manageable. Your professional soccer-playing career is over.

All jesting aside, I understand that this is painful but after a quick search, it looks like there are a number of options that will result in a reasonable level of mobility. I had a self-inflicted wound a number of years ago (a bunionectomy intended to repair the foot before it got worse) and it took about a year before I could comfortably put pressure on a shovel for digging in the garden. I imagine knee surgery or repair is going to have at least as long to get back to a comfort level for this work. But it does return, so don't despair.

Take care!

SRS