knee problem

I have a pain in my knee that I would like help in understanding and treating.
I normally run between 3 and 4 miles about 3 times a week at a 9-10 min mile pace.
Nothing very fast.
The pain that I have is not so much when running, but when I kick a soccer ball where a twist is placed on my knee. Also, the pain seems to intensify when it is bent.
I do weight train a few times each week.
My physical makeup is height 5’10” and approx 195 lbs, age – 46 years old.
A friend of mine told me about a patella brace that may help.
Please help me in understanding treatment of this chronic pain as I do not want to injure it any further, but also do not want surgery. thanks in advance for your time.