Go back to doctor?

[RedFirePhoenix]

OK. Not the Saturday that just passed, but the one before, I was out with some friends and missed a step going out to the dance floor. I fell pretty hard, got a nice nasty scrape on my elbow and landed directly on my right knee. I went to urgent care the next day and had x-rays, which were normal, but they also told me it was very soon after the injury and swelling might mask any problems.
Now, I'm not having a lot of pain with walking, some stiffness and occasional pain. When I knelt down the other day on both knees to look through my laundry basket, I immediately had to come back up, the pain was so bad in the patella. I still have a noticeable knot a little to the left (my left) of the bottom part of my patella, the majority of it is a bruised yellow with some reddish-purple bruising ringing it. Palpating that knot hurts, along with palpating along the rest of my patella. I've now also started getting pain with walking in that shin (have always had problems palpating that shin and causing pain, now it hurts even just to walk). Should I get this checked out again, or is this fairly normal for a blow to the knee?
Sorry so long, but I wanted to make sure the details were clear!!!

[RedFirePhoenix]

Hi Angel,
   Thanks for the welcome. Could it be something serious if I am not really experiencing much pain, other than palpating it? When I push on that knot (not hard, just to feel) it almost feels like..not sure how to explain it. Like gritty inside? That's not the best word but I'm not sure how to describe.
   At any rate, I think I have to go to my PCP before ortho, there is one really good ortho around here (I'm sure there's more but I've got recommendations on this one) and they like you to preferably have some imaging done first to speed the process. So we'll see!
   Anyone else experienced anything like this? Thanks again, Angel, for the advice!
- Michelle

[kiddthekatt]

Hi;
  Welcome to the forum. With a fall like you had anything could be seriously wrong. Anything from a torn miniscus to a damaged patella. I fell on my right knee and winded up having a partial and then a total replacement.
   I would get in to see an orthopedic doctor and let them check your knee out. They know what to look for and what to do with it. The longer you wait the harder it is on you. Good luck.

gentle hugs
Angel

[RedFirePhoenix]

Oh. My manners have escaped me. I'm new, by the way, my name is Michelle!