In order to answer this question effectively, research studies comparing these two treatment methods are necessary. Studies could include randomized controlled trials in which participants are assigned either physical therapy or surgery randomly and then followed over an extended period of time to assess their ability to achieve a fully stable functioning knee after each treatment method has been completed. Additionally, observational studies looking at retrospective patient data could also be used in order to examine any notable differences between outcomes from each intervention type. Qualitative research techniques such as interviews may also help provide additional insights into how patients perceive their outcomes with either form of treatment they received—both before and after completion of their respective interventions.

Ultimately answers generated through research may help healthcare providers make more informed decisions on what type of treatment should be recommended for individual cases where ACL tear diagnosis has been made based on clinical evaluations alone. Furthermore, findings derived from these studies could potentially lead researchers towards novel approaches that combine elements from both forms of existing non-surgical treatments like physical therapy/rehabilitation along with targeted operative repairs within one unified approach that maximizes successful rehabilitation rate while minimizing risks associated with invasive procedures like surgery wherever applicable