That's funny because I am still pedaling platforms. I tried SPDs because they were supposed to have the most play but they just really bothered my knee. Now that ride the road more, I do use SPDs on the road with a combo pedal where there is a platform on the other side, but clipless on a mtn bike probably won't be happening with me unless it's one of those rides that's rolling with no technical stuff.

I also find that when I go downhill my knee with start to bother me, I'm not locking it up but I think I'm tensing something in my knee??!

The debridement I'm not sure what it might do because that was my first surgery. Sticking something in a joint capsule and fishing around will bother it much less smoothing out the rough spots. I noticed the year after I had it done I was doing great, I just need to keep up on getting in the water as well as stretching. I've totally fallen off the wagon on that one. Didn't have a lateral release although they though that I might need it after the surgery but with good PT (patellar manipulation was what helped me alot too) you will be breezing through.