Well, wow ! I "do" love Canada and have had two best friends who are Canadian, but you don't know about other countries health plans, government, etc. until you live there !! I have very good insurance, plus medicare and can get whatever I want done with a referral. Of course I pay for it ( comes to about $5000 per yr ) but with the corrective surgeries, etc. including a surprise open heart surgery ( didn't know I had anything wrong -was playing pickle ball, biking, etc. ) it cost me almost nothing, including a week in a beautiful rehab place. Back surgery, also was billed at over $ 100.000 but paid only a few hundred out of pocket.
Not to dispute what they told you, but !!! I have found over the years that Xrays only show bone, not soft tissue, my Xray showed nothing, and a few wks. later I insisted on an MRI and that is where they found the 50% partial tear. So, am going to try PT but a bit sceptical about how it will heal, I don't have any pain, can play Pickle Ball( which is very important to me for exercise ) and only pain in bed trying to sleep. or reaching back for the seat belt !!!!
Well, guess time will tell, I'll give it 6 mth, because surgery would put me out for 8 mth. and I feel that would be worse on the other parts of my body. What a dilemma !!!