Will it cause more harm to wait to see dr? plica wore groove in patella, clipping stopped pain for a few years. now pain is back at random times. has locked up 2x in 1 year. pain mostly when walking or exercise?

There is no complication with delayed intervention. You should limit the activities which exacerbate the pain.

It is very common fir females to experience this type of pain and pathology. Because of female anatomy your Q angle or quadricep angle is greater causing the patella to track incorrectly. Biomechanics is another term. See a podiatrist and consider the benefits of a custom orthotics. It could help prevent further needs of surgery.