Hi, thanks for writing to HCM. All your symptoms are highly suggestive of Patello-femoral arthritis (wear and tear in the cartilage of knee cap & femoral trochlea). Xrays of the knee cap (special views), MRI scan and a direct arthroscopic examination will help in diagnosing the condition. Treatment of this condition often begins with simple measures. -Rest your knee as much as possible. Avoid any activities that increase the pain such as climbing stairs and deep knee bending movements. - If needed, take over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen. - Weight loss alone will often fix the problem if you are substantially overweight. - Specific exercises can strengthen the muscles that support your knees and control limb alignment, such as your quadriceps, hamstrings and the muscles around your hips (especially the hip abductors). They are done individually on a daily basis for at least three months. - Knee braces or arch supports may help protect your joint and improve the alignment of your kneecap. Bracing involves control of the tracking position of the patella and restriction of full knee flexion. - Icing your knee after exercise may be especially helpful. - Bracing or taping the patella can help you do exercises and activities with less pain. The idea is that by bracing or taping the knee, the patella stays in better alignment within the femoral groove. This in turn is thought to improve the pull of the quadriceps muscle so that the patella stays lined up in the groove. Patients report less pain and improved function with these forms of treatment. - Corticosteroid injections in to the knee joint will be helpful for a severe flare-up pain Hope this information is helpful. Good day