I tore my lateral meniscus at work when I was 35. Thankfully worker’s compensation covered it all and got me in super quick. If I’d had to wait for the public healthcare system (Canada) it would have taken a bit longer. It was a ‘bucket handle’ tear. Doc said I could go either way, wait it out or have surgery. I went with surgery. It was arthroscopic, in and out in a few hours. I was walking the next day, riding within about 6-8 weeks, and could run 5k within a year with no pain. Eight years later, I have more pain in my other knee.