Afraid to re-injure myself..but I can't NOT ride.

So I just recently got off crutches due to a skiing accident and I can't wait to get back in the saddle again! I'm just really really paranoid about it. Ever since my accident, my right knee has been super finicky. If I bang it off something accidentally the whole side of my leg will bruise, not just my knee. I'm afraid to get on again and not be able to control that leg as well, confusing my horse who is in the process of re-learning everything. I just don't want to a) hurt myself or b) mess up Charlie. So what should I do? Stick to lunging? I just don't know what to do. Has anyone been in a situation like this??

What does your doctor say?

I've had some really gnarly knee injuries. Which I didn't handle properly to say the least! Now that I'm all growed, up I'd suggest letting it heal completely before trying anything that'd possibly strain or injure it farther or slow the healing. That being said, is there a easy rider you could ride bareback? That'd take the pressure off your knee and get ya some ridin time.
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I'm cleared to do physical activity after Friday (riding included), I don't know if I'm just being paranoid or if I should take it easy for a little longer

Follow your gut.

Sounds like a great time for ground work.
There's tons of things you can do to be with your horse, but not on him.

I injured myself a few weeks ago (nothing too serious but needed a couple weeks off riding). I know what you are going through and I think you should probably stick to ground work with your horse until you feel you are completely ready to train properly. You would hate to mess him up just because you wanted to ride when you weren't ready.
If there is an older quiet horse you could get on bareback or with longer stirrups that wouldn't put strain on your knee you should do that and take this time to perfect/teach some ground work!
I still haven't got on my green horse after my injury because I know he is sensitive and if I do anything wrong it will do more harm than good. I am just sticking with ground work and riding my older mare that I usually put beginners on.
Good luck and I wish you a speedy recovery!

I flipped my car monday..figured I'd manage just fine and went to ride my new mare..horrible idea because it made my back/shoulders worse from saddling and mounting.

I went out yesterday for the vet, missed*him, and opted to not ride seeing as I couldn't take the saddle off monday and there was no way I was going to risk more injury to my shoulders/back to ride..
I helped herd the pasture horses out of the neighbour's pedicured yard and get the electric for the fence back on and just relaxed with Alahna for a bit. Walked around on lead a little bit and worked on how to stand still and relax while I smoked a cigarette..nothing too hard, but if she had stayed how she was when I got her off the trailer saturday I wouldn't even be willing to handle her right now. Maybe give her a pat here and there, but that's it.

If it's a decision between riding today and it possibly being my last ride, I'll skip months of riding so that I can continue for the rest of my life.
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Are you working with a physio or a rehab program? You need to get that knee strong before doing anything, which will require daily stretching and exercise.
I would personally wear a brace around the horses as a just in case until you have the knee strong. I would wait until you are able to run, squat and use the knee as normal before not using the brace at the barn.
If your doctor has not referred you to a physio, you should get a referral. You are an athlete, you need to treat your body as such. If your horse had a stifle injury, your vet would be there helping with rehab every step of the way. It's the same thing with your body, you need help and monitoring by a professional to get your knee strong without re injury.

Good luck!
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Thanks for all the help everybody! I went to my orthopedic today and he gave me a brace to wear with hinges so I can bend my knee. (similar to what basketball players wear when they have injuries but still okay to play) He said that there's no reason I can't ride, but he suggested riding in the brace just to stabilize my knee. I'll probably work on lunging him through the weekend and then try next week if I feel comfortable. Thanks for all the opionions! (: (: