Knee problem - cartilage damage?

[Mercury00]

I've had pain in my left knee for years. I work in a physical role - I'm a metalworker and often carry heavy things, plus I'm often bending down and working on my knees.

My knee creaks inside the joint and hurts 100% of the time. When I walk I drag my left leg slightly in order to keep it bent as straightening it out fully sometimes causes it to give way. Over the past year it has gotten worse and I'm finding driving hard at times. It's starting to affect me quite a lot now.

Any suggestions of what it could be? I will go to the doctor about it... one day.

[Mercury00]

I finally went to the doctor, who bent my leg in all manner of positions (which caused it to hurt like mad throughout the day) and told me to seek physiotherapy. I still think it's something more than that but apparently I only have to have one session to see if it works, if not they'll send me for a scan.