21 weeks AFTER initial MCL injury still in pain

by Stephanie
(Canada)

21 weeks ago I was diagnosed with a 2nd degree MCL sprain in my knee after an injury from hockey.

After months of rehab of building my muscles & stretching my sports doctor finally suggested I get a second opinion from her colleague because it was just not progressing.

I still have pain when the knee is twisted in and when I run it feels like either my knee cap is split in half OR there is pain beside the inside of my knee. I also get sharp pain when turning over in bed or movements like that.

The colleague who gave me the second opinion thinks that maybe the pain is due to the weak quad muscle. My only concern with this is that I have been doing rehab for months (tonnes of squats and other exercises) and my muscle has diffidently made LOTS of progress (from the naked eye both quads seem to be the same size, only when touched does the muscle seem a little less firm) but the pain has been consistent since January, no change.

My questions:
1)Can a weaker quad muscle really be the reason why my knee has been continuously hurting? Is there a name for this diagnosis?
2)Could playing sports and feeling this pain make my knee worse or can I play without worry?(which the 2nd Doctor thinks I can)
3)When is it time to say "This pain has gone on way to long, I need answers"? 4 months? 6 months? 1year?