I can relate to your situation and the dilemma. Major factors are age and what type of surgery they will do..A repair or debridement (clean out). For younger patients they repair. They were planning to do debridement for me, since I’m over age 30.

The injury happened when I had a freak accident several years ago and injured both my knees, but the right one worse than the other. I didn’t get MRI on the left , but suspect it’s torn too.

I saw an orthopedic surgeon, who I knew was conservative right away, got MRI and surgery was recommended. While waiting for surgery, I started feeling less pain and ran into a friend who said she had same thing, but wasn’t having surgery. I then got a second opinion from another orthopedic surgeon who specializes in knee injuries. He viewed my MRI results and said delaying surgery was reasonable in light of my mri, that surgery was not a guarantee of relief and it would create arthritis down the road. Plus, there is some risks….So, I canceled the surgery, got PT to strengthen my hips and treat my ITBS that also developed. It was amazing. It got much better. I went on a fitness kick, lost weight, changed my diet, and now work out 6 days per week. I have some health issues from post covid syndrome, but am improving. I’m mindful of my knee, but it’s holding good. I feel I made the right decision for me.

It’s an individual thing really. If I was in pain or had locking, weakness, etc. I’d seriously consider surgery.