Hi, some tears need surgery but If your pain is starting to improve and if the pain does not interfere with your quality of lifeIf compression sleeves work to control the pain If your range of motion is well maintained and You can participate in your normal daily activities Then surgery is not immediately needed But if you are in pain, knee is giving away you should follow orthopedic advice It's better to avoid stairs and squatting and twisting turning movements at the knee to avoid further damage to meniscus