Ive had a torn ACL for almost 10 years. I wouldn't say that I made a conscious decision not to get it repaired, it just kind of ended up that way.
It was pretty painful when it happened, Doctor couldn't diagnose it without an MRI. Apparently I have loosey goosey knee ligaments and with the swelling he couldn't tell.
In the time that I waited for an MRI and a surgeon consult I went physio and regained full range of motion and was maybe 90% painless. I would still tweak it every once in awhile and the odd time going up the stairs or something like that it would kind of hyperextend in a weird way. The doctor basically said because of my symptoms it was purely an elective surgery, and I basically had 2 options. Get it repaired, or get a brace and build up the muscles. I chose option 2. I'm not really sure where the data is on ACL tears these days, but I seem to remember debate on whether you even need one depending on lifestyle.
Anyways, fast forward 10 years and I hardly ever notice it, in fact I forgot about it until I read this thread title. I don't really do any activity that isnt "in line" like soccer, Basketball, Volleyball etc. where you're planting and pivoting. Riding a bike, running etc is all fine. The odd time I go skiing or play hockey I definitely wear my brace to protect it. But suffer no adverse affects.
I think its important to note that no 2 cases are alike. based on my MRI I only had a torn ACL, no observable surrounding injury. And while active, I wasn't regularly engaging in activities that I couldn't do anymore.
Due to moving/jobs/life/family over the past 10 years I haven't really sought out activities that would make me think twice about having the torn ACL, but I do think about it the odd time I consider joining a mens league or something.
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