"Full" tear and back to normal in three months?
So on 3/20/26 I hurt myself playing dodgeball- the MRI I had two weeks later showed "a near complete tear is suspected" along with lots of swelling, a bone bruise, and a sprained MCL.
The injury itself was the worst pain I've ever experienced, and that's after 3 unmedicated VBACs and a pretty high pain tolerance. I was on crutches for a few days. Then walking with a brace and back to waitressing F/S nights for 7 hours the weekend after---this was super painful and miserable the first two weekends, and then improved. I completed the eight allowed PT and graduated with it until after surgery.
Fast forward now- ortho is scheduled 8/6 to schedule surgery- I asked to delay after the summer as it's my busy season. I have been back to both jobs and feel like I've regained full or near full recovery. I cannot sit criss cross and can't fully squat down butt to heel, but other than that, my leg feels normal. It twinges in pain, I protect it, but I'm curious as to if the MRI could have been wrong.
I would love to not get surgery, but also want to be my 100% active self. I know after surgery it's insanely rough and I'm a single parent to four kids (three little) and work two jobs, so recovery will be a PIA.
I have copies of MRI report and videos of MRI if that would be helpful, but just curious as to if MRIs are wrong, if it is normal to feel this much improved, etc. Thank you for any input.