A bit of first hand experience.

Some years back (age <50) I had debilitating hip pain to where I could barely walk. Went to an orthopedist, who took X-rays, pointed out potential issues and suggested surgery. According to him, there was no way to be 100% sure of the extent of the damage, and what kind of artificial hip would be best until/unless he opened it up and looked. That wasn't reassuring, so I sought a 2nd opinion, who confirmed that there was probably some damage, but didn't think it was all that bad --- yet. Suggested managing with pain meds and steroids, but because of his own doubts, he sent me to his guru, -- the head or orthopedics at a decent sized hospital.

So, I walk (limp) into his office, lay my X-rays on his desk, and before he looks at them he crumples a sheet of paper and tosses it across the room. He asks me if I'd do him a favor and retrieve it from the floor, which I do.

"Nothing wrong with your hip".
"But you haven't even looked at the X-rays or reports"
"didn't need to, I knew it when you walked in, and confirmed it when you picked up the ball"
"so what is the problem?"

He sent me for spinal X-rays, then reviewed them in front of me pointing out calcification and narrowing of the spinal channel. I asked what they did about that, and he said they open it up, and "roto-rooter" it out so there's enough room again. But, he said, he wasn't going to touch me. I was too young, fit and active to risk the surgery, and I was going to fix it myself. He sent me for physical therapy, and I was 90% better within a month or two, and h=just about 100% ever since, except for flareups, which I manage through exercises.

Point is I was lucky not to trust the 1st guy, and extra lucky to find an old timer who knew his crap, and was honest enough to pass up a chance for a fat bill.

My advice, take it slow, confirm everything, and try anything that doesn't involve cutting, saving that for a LAST RESORT if/when less aggressive approaches fail. There's no urgency here, and you can cut at any time, but you can't uncut once you do.

The only downside to this is living with the pain while you waste time delaying surgery that may turn out to be absolutely necessary, and may resolve the issue. Compare that to the real risks of surgery -- any surgery.