Patella lesion

Hey everyone, I could really use some advice here,

I’m 26 and have always been an athlete. I've spent my entire life staying active, but about a year ago, I hit my first major setback. An MRI of my right knee revealed a patellar lesion, and I was referred to physical therapy. I’ve actually been seeing one of the most prominent specialists in the country for several consultations, but after our most recent appointment, I’ve decided it’s time to find someone new—he seems convinced there isn't actually a problem.
The reality is that my right leg is roughly 2cm thinner than my left, and my knee just doesn't have the stability required for any significant physical activity; plus, whenever I push myself even a little bit, I’m stuck dealing with pain for a couple of days afterward...

Does anyone have a recommendation for a solid specialist who might actually take this seriously?

Jacob Bailey80 said:My right leg is about 2cm thinner than my left, and my knee just doesn't have the strength for any real physical activity. After I put any kind of strain on it, I end up dealing with pain for the next couple of days...

Does anyone have a good doctor they can recommend?

Since you didn't mention where you're located, I'm almost certain you're asking about the Washington, D.C. area (since most people from the capital seem to assume everyone knows they're talking about the D.C. metro area).
Well, shoot. I'm not there, so I can only give you recommendations for the Seattle area.

Anyway, I wanted to chime in regarding your comment about the knee "not having strength."
The knee itself doesn't have strength, but the muscles surrounding it provide that stability.
I'm talking about your quadriceps (specifically the VMO when dealing with the patella) and your calves.
While you're searching for a specialist, try googling some quad exercises—make sure to include the keyword "patella" in your search. You should find plenty of helpful stuff out there...

Susan James42 said:Since you didn't specify where you're coming from, I'd bet my bottom dollar you're asking about the Washington, D.C. area—mostly because people from the capital tend to assume their little bubble is the center of the universe.

It seems I neglected to mention that I'm actually based in Washington, D.C. It wasn't an intentional omission, just a lapse in memory...

Susan James42 said:I wanted to chime in regarding that phrase "my knee lacks strength."
The joint itself doesn't possess strength; rather, it’s the surrounding musculature that provides the stability.
Think specifically about the quadriceps—particularly the VMO when dealing with the kneecap—and your calves.
While you're waiting for an appointment with a specialist, I'd suggest digging through some online resources for quad exercises; just be sure to include the keyword "patella" in your search to get the right results.

That was actually my thought process, but my previous doctor strictly forbade certain movements I felt perfectly capable of doing at the gym—like the leg press or leg extensions—so now I'm left in this limbo where I'm honestly not sure what's safe and what isn't. For now, I've just been sticking to light jogging and cycling...

Jacob Bailey80 said:... I'm doing some light jogging...

Well, then it isn't really much of an issue... if you have the capacity to jog...
And what exactly is this "doctor" a specialist in?

Susan James42 said:...honestly, most people living in New York just assume certain things are common sense without having to say them out loud...

I only just realized... just how many assumptions are being made here...