I developed runner's knee last winter (which is different than the pain you describe) and my step mom suggested a product called
Blue-Emu Oil. She has knee problems (not runner's knee) as well and swears by the stuff. I was skeptical but desperate and she offered me a free jar of it, so I decided to give it a try. Wouldn't you know, it actually worked. I use it regularly on my knee--when I stop using it, the pain comes back. I also use it on my other joints (ankle, elbow) if they start to ache and it always clears the problem up within a week.
I'm still not convinced that the blue-emu oil does anything, but it also has glucosamine in it; I suspect it is the glucosamine that makes a difference.
It can be pricey ($20 a jar), but Walgreens sometimes has it on sale for $10 a jar. It might be worth trying.