Just a quick note.  This forum is great but skews toward people having problems.  I'm 70, has a significant tear repaired exactly 2 months ago today.  Took pain pills for two days, generally behaved myself by using the mobilizer for four weeks with some cheating during the day.  Very little pain after the first month, nearly none now..  Don't know how much was the nature of the tear, the talent of the doctor or just luck but most of the other people that I now that has had similar surgery have had very positive results.  Keep the faith.

Ken