The first time I had a torn meniscus I got a cortisone shot and it was so effective I almost cancelled the surgery. The orthopedist guaranteed that the pain would return in time. I have recently torn it again and this time did not get the shot. The Dr this time said it would help but the tear was pretty big and I was having the surgery again anyway.
As for PT, I tried PT the second time before going back to the Dr, and while I could walk better the pain was still there. I'm back in PT and finding it is starting to help. And what was the thing PT recommended? Cycling of course. He said I should set up the trainer ASAP and get on and start easy. 50-75 watts max to start, low RPM. That'll be torture as that is so low as to not feel it, but that's the point. I'll work up to my old FTP of 200 maybe. I'm not so young anymore.