meniscus injury

I have been diagnosed with chondromalacia following a knee injury and my kneecap dislocating. An MRI did not show a tear in the meniscus (inside of knee) but this area is still tender afer 6 months (area pinpointed by a chiropractor). I have been trying slowly to resume exercising and found that lateral motions aggravate the problem. I also have problems bending and stablizing the knee with my weight on it as you might do in an aerobics class with hamstring curls going from one leg to the other. Are there exercises that can strengthen this function of the knee or should I just continue to rest and ice the knee?