Runner knees

Question
Hi, at my old job I did a lot of walking and squatting  did it for twenty years, I'm also double jointed in the knees.Everytime I would bend my knees would crack . Well now I have runners knees my left one is worst then my right..I really don't know how to exercise my muscle, I know it's sounds bad cause my old job I always thought I was in good shape due to the all the walking I've done..
How do you make my muscles stronger? Without effecting my knees? All I know it's very painful and sometimes I can't walk unless I put my knees back way back ...like it relieves all the pressure and I was told not to do it but it seems like the only thing I can do so I can walk again without a lot of pain.. Can you please help me???
Thank you

Answer
I'm sorry about your pain Sue, but it sounds like something that's definitely fixable. The knee is just the joint that connects the foot/ankle and hip.  The following links are to videos that can help you.  The first 2 will strengthen your hip and foot respectively.  The 3rd will improve your lower body coordination.  Do these exercises for 5 days a week for the next 2 weeks.  If this doesn't decrease your pain by 50% in that time then please let me know and we'll try something else.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf-AKupMPNk&feature=channel&list=UL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiesZvSVa7c&feature=channel&list=UL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEtrqCu8Ne8&noredirect=1

Please let me know if you have any questions or if something doesn't make sense or if you have any questions.