I might think that the provider(s) might be trying to get things better without referring for expensive testing and surgery. They are ethically not supposed to look at the cost factor. As a patient, it would be in your best interest to speak up and say something. Knowing more about your symptoms will also guide the diagnosis and treatment.

If surgery is going to significantly improve your quality of life, be sure to do your part! I had hamstring repair. The tear was "partial" but there were calcifications that were removed from (I believe) the tendon.

About 30 + years ago I had an impact injury. I went to the orthopedist (actually more than one) with knee pain. Lots of great therapy but still pain, I was back on my feet. They said they would do exploratory arthroscopy if it "didn't get better". I politely said, "No thank you" and moved on. Not knowing the specifics of the problem, I stopped running. I became an exercise physiologist. Now, thirty years later, and a few mishaps along the way, the realization is that the problem was not my knee, it was more likely the hip. So, here I am working on repairing what can be and working around what can be improved.

Listen to your gut feeling, do your research (reputable sites) and you should be heading in the direction you need to go.