I have some fairly severe knee pain. I am an overweight 55 year old female. The pain started as a dull aching on the front and sides of my knee with some swelling. Ice helped. I have always had some pain but it has worsened when I recently started to increase my activity on an elliptical - just 10-15 minutes, no incline) Now I also have sharp pain in the back of my knee. I am looking for some advice on at home treatments or advice on when I should visit my PCP.

Thank you.