Same here, same experience with my meniscus looking like loose egg white (though I was under general for the procedure, I saw pics afterward).
I did PT before (didn't help, I had mechanical locking) and after (did help).
PT doesn't help some physical issues, but I had shoulder problems that PT fixed 100% and they've stayed fixed for years. IMO, it's important for a physician to treat each case as unique, and start with conservative therapy and move to more invasive measures.
Now I'm doing PT yet again because I have an onset of carpal tunnel syndrome, but it looks like I'll probably be going under the knife for it...