Oh shit... I guess you have been trying! Yeah, if you are favoring a bad knee, you might not be able to put your all into it. But it's not worth hurting yourself worse for.
Let's be honest, as much garbage as women have to put up with from guys, we deserve a break every now and then. If you can get someone else to pick your bike up for you so you don't make your knee worse, then take advantage of it. It would just suck if it happened when you were out riding in unpopulated areas. So, get to the gym and build up your strength. I'm sure you'll get to the point where you can do it if you work at it.
I've only dropped a bike 3 times in my life so far, and two times someone was there to help me lift it. The time I did it myself was pure adrenaline, before I even knew about this technique.
