Knee-Pain Mystery

Hi,

I am not looking for medical advise, just some ideas maybe.... I am just a little frustrated right now. I have had trouble with my right knee for about 7 years now. It started when I was about 19, with pain and stiffness during long car rides. Then after a few weeks, the pain suddenly disappeared, and my knee didn't bother me for a while. Then it would come back. At 23, it got so bad that I saw an orthopedics specialist. He took x-rays, and determined that there was a slight abnormality in my knee joint, some bone was shorter than it is supposed to be (at the time i didnt know medical terms and did not ask for details). He said it was no big deal, but I should avoid high-heeled shoes. So over the years, the pain came and went, and now this summer it got really, really bad. I started working at a nursing home, and even though my knee does not bother me all that much during work, it hurts terribly whenever I have to bend and unbend it, and the pain is very bad during the night and in the morning. The more active I am during the day, the worse my knee gets at night. It also makes clicking sounds when I walk up and down stairs and when i ride my bike. It does not hurt with regular activity, though.

Last friday, I finally went to see a doctor (not a specialist). He couldn't find anything wrong with my knee during the physical examination. Initial arthritis screening was positive, but the confirmatory test was negative. X-rays appear normal. But I am still in pain. He sent me home with naproxen and prednisone, but no real answer. I am just frustrated, because I am only 26 and this knee-pain is really debilitating. I cannot afford to go from dr. to doctor. With all the lab work and x-rays, this visit will probably add up to $500, and I still don't know what's wrong with my knee. I am thinking maybe it's chondromalacia patellae, or a reactive localized arthritis (not rheumatoid), but wouldn't that show up on x-ray? Any ideas on where i should go from here?

Thanks!