Intensity and ride duration was steadily increasing after getting the bike. By the time I went clipless I was already riding my max distance and intensity.

I've always had seemingly vulnerable knees, which tend to flare up after extended walking, or even a light jogging, however there was no cycling related pain until going clipless. And it wasn't until about February of this year that it finally developed into a sharp stabbing pain when under load (see below for doctor details).

I have a cadence sensor and average 85-90 RPM on my entire rides, and tend to stay around 95-105 when at speed on my local trails. I don't doubt the possibility of my pedaling form developing an imbalance after going clipless, since it's easier for one leg to pick up where the other leaves off in the stroke- this is my main motivation for attempting platforms once again, to (hopefully) redevelop my stroke.

As for the doctor, I've seen one, he ordered an MRI and claimed my ligaments and meniscus were intact, but didn't look elsewhere, and offered no other explaination, which peeved me. He just said to use pain as a guide while slowly going back to my original intensity.