Can impingement come back?

My physio therapist which I consider as good specialist worked with a lot of ice hockey professionals for about 10 years. He basically told me that earlier every impingement was operated but nowadays it's not that obvious anymore that it requires a surgery. His reasoning is that impingement can come back even after the surgery if you don't change the lifestyle or movements leading to impingement bone-to-bone contact. His point that it's better to treat it conservatively since there is a chance that surgery outcome might be temporary (not for everyone of course but probable) and you might end up with the same symptoms. I found this statement quite logical but still want to hear real-world experiences.

What do you think?