re: torn meniscus, surgery or not?

I had a small tear in 2014. My doctor is a surgeon but he recommended against an operation. The pain went away after a few months. A year later it got so bad that I could barely play catch without pain. I went to physical therapy and figured surgery would be coming up soon. However it’s been two years and I have almost zero pain. Haven’t done any knee-based exercises for 2 years, just general cardio exercises and running.

I guess what I’m sayjng is these knee injuries are unpredictable as hell.