50KalI hurt my MCL (serious strain that a Orthopedic doctor diagnosed) in winter 2014 but successfully recovered over the summer and shredded next winter.
Started working wildfire a lot in 2016 which required running everyday. I was noticed pain in the injured knee and stiffness that was getting worse during running.
Saw a local physical therapist and it was a case of built up scar tissue and not stretching properly on the perviously injured MCL. After a few sessions and weeks of stretching out it felt great.
But I’m not a Orthopedic doctor or licensed PT. You should go see one of those with that significant pain and fact you haven’t had any diagnosis.
I’d go see a physical therapist first.
Seeing a Orthopedic doctor is a great idea, but it can be expensive. if you know of a good physical therapist in town I’d say just go to them. They tend to be way cheaper (most PTs have out of pocket rate that is reasonable so ask to pay out of pocket if your insurance doesn’t cover pt visit or is crappy).
Plus Orthopedic doctor is gonna do the same tests that a PT would do, maybe tell you do mri and X-ray, recommend a physical therapy session or tell you need surgery. If a pt notices something serious out of place he will tell you to go see a Orthopedic doctor and get X-rays/mri.
Very good advice right here! Go see a PT, see if you can fix your issues through stretching or some different routines of exercise. The ortho is going to have you do the same test, cost twice as much and going to recommend surgery no matter what(good old American health care). Avoid surgery at your age if it all possible. Listen to an old guy recovering from knee surgery now, take care of your knees.