Pain management 7 years after kneecap dislocation

I dislocated my kneecap about 7 years ago in a motorcycle accident. I was 16 at the time, it dislocated, and relocated on its own and was able to bear weight the next day. Ever since then, it crunches when bending, and i get some cery mild pain about once every 6 months or so which lasts no more than a day max.

Me nor my family were able to afford any kind of treatment aside from what our PCP was able to provide. I wore a brace from time to time, did lots of leg strength exercises, and have tried to take care of myself. Fast forward to now. Still in a similar situation as not only can I not afford to see a specialist, but my job is so dependant on me being able to stand up and move around that any time off for recovery would mean anything longer than 2 weeks would mean foreclosure on my home.

I say all this because im trying to avoid the "should have seen a doctor" replies. I am aware, I wish I could have, but that was and still is not an option unfortunately.

All this is to say, what has life been like for others years after their injury? Do you still get pain? How do you manage it?