Here you can see how it works:
Since I'm goofy (right foot in front), for me it's the other way around. As you can see the injured (right) knee would get in touch with the board before popping up.
In my current situation that would be very painful though...:-)
I'm goofy footed too!
Oh, you surf? Then it's weird that you asked me about the knee :-) How do you manage to pop up without touching the board?
Like you I don't, usually. I just hurt. When I learned to surf it was the days of big boards for every waves and we all paddled on our knees. We got knots but that was a badge of honour. They'd swell and bleed and hurt like hell but we were vain and stupid. Ah youth! Anyway along came the short boards and my knots eventually disappeared.
OMG. Then you are the real adventurer here! Haha
Good news is that my knees still work. Get better soon! We love your posts.