Hi Bruce,

Well done to the NHS physio, who sounds like the most likely of the three to be correct (Taking into account mechanism of injury and the fact neither LCL or ITB sprains/strains typically cause swelling), as from what I've read on this site NHS physios don't seem to be rated highly.

I cant understand however how he is reluctant to send you for a scan. Its been 7 months and while you've been doing inapropriate rehab for most of it by the sounds of it you still are not recovering with conservative treatment (non-surgical) so its time to get a scan and an opinion from an orthopaedic surgeon.

If you have the resources go private, if not keep putting on the pressure for the scan/opinion. A bit of research into Wikipedia reference-linkMeniscus injuries (what the type of cartilage you've most likely injured is called) will help you argue your point a bit more.

Hope it goes well