I, too, would try to find a doc to consult. Most are doing remote visits and they could at least determine if you need to be seen in person. I would be mostly concerned that a blood clot could form from the bruise/injury and maybe lack of motion now, which can also cause swelling. I presume you are Medicare age (from your postings), so that might make things a little more complicated (finding a doc taking new Medicare patients) so I'd start searching now. Even if you don't need one for this, ultimately, you would be glad to have a doc of your choice onboard, instead of trying to find one you like in a different kind of emergency.

Oh gosh, I’m so sorry you are having this problem. I’m dealing with a swollen knee, but different from yours. You may just need to have the fluid drained, a pretty easy procedure to do in the office. This is a good reason to find a doctor. Unfortunate at our age the odds of needing a doc are increasing and it’s good to have an established relationship.

Look, we don't like each other, but that doesn't mean I want to see anything happen to you or anybody else. To be frank, +1 to all of the above; it's critical to have yourself looked at after a fall like that, particularly with the described symptoms,

If you're experiencing edema one week after the event, this is not a good sign and it's not necessarily connected to your knee. Yes, it's a pandemic. However, seek medical attention of some sort as soon as you can. It's hopeful that this is minor, however, when dealing with weight-bearing joints and surprise swelling after the fact, it's unwise to take any chances. Particularly if you're describing that it's interfering with the sensation of walking.

My best to you.

I had bursitis or effusion of the knee as a child and it was frequent and annoying. I had to make sure that I didn't let my knee stay locked in one place. I was given creams and anti inflammatories and exercises and seem to have not carried that malady into adulthood with me.

Don't be like my DH and leave it and leave it and leave it and leave it. He is now dealing with the fallout from that for his shoulder and swelling! Good luck!

I had fluid on both of my knees about 1,1/2 yrs ago. There was no reason for it but after a few months the pain became so bad that I finally saw a sports Dr. He did an MRI that showed nothing but fluid. I got a cortisone shot in both knees & within about 2 weeks it cleared up. Please don't wait, get it taken care of so that you can get on with life.

I am so sorry to hear you are having such an awful time with your knee. I agree that calling your doc and asking about it is the way to go. Our doctor is connected to a portal that allows us to contact him (no waiting on the phone or waiting for a call back that I often miss). He always gets back to us within a couple of hours. It is wonderful. The patient portal as it is called is at Georgetown University Hospital.

I agree with the others that you should see a specialist as soon as possible. I would suggest that you add compression to your regimen of rest and ice. I have a wacky knee, too, and find that thigh high compression stockings give me great relief.

You might try an ACE wrap or compression sleeve along with you ice treatments.

Something to think about is that NSAIDS can cause edema in some people. They are certainly a problem for me. I try to avoid them at all costs, finding a reasonable level of relief in topical products.

I wish you all the best, my friend. Wish I could help.

I forget what they called what I had. (I just remembered, it was a hematoma) It was after a motorcycle accident, either from my leg not going cleanly going over the handlebars or the way I landed on the blacktop. Most of my leg was swollen from the knee up, and the knee would not bend. So I hobbled around until it eventually got better.

BTW, I was sent home with compression on the leg. Someone said it was for my comfort but it was anything but comfortable so I took it off.

Richard, Hematoma is bleeding into the tissue which creates a very deep bruise and the compression was to put pressure on the bleed so it would not continue. It can be life threatening if you bleed too much. Fluid is different.

Gardengal, there are a few doctors (rose gardeners) on Rose forum. Post there, they’d help you.

This would be a good time to use a medi-clinic. They will probably be online only but at least they should be able to recommend if you should wait or attempt to find a physician.

So you fell and banged up an already dodgy knee. Didn't have any pain so you went on like you always do. Now the knee is telling you it is wounded & to take it easy for a few days and to quit abusing it.

I would continue w/ the NSAIDS on a regular schedule for the next 2-3 days and RICE. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. IME, Ace bandage for compression because you can customize it....unless you already own a knee sleeve that works good for you. I've tried a couple of different ones & they ended up being torture devices.

**ETA--Stack up some pillows to elevate the knee when you go to bed at night & sleep w/ it elevated o/ night.

1. I went through a similar experience in early 2019. I just did the things you are doing but the knee remained swollen. I finally bit the bullet and went to my my ortho dr. who removed the fluid and it never came back. I was astonished that there was absolutely no pain associated with the procedure. I felt nothing, not even the needle.

OT, but important tangent. One of my doctor friends emphasized to me how important it was to have a good relationship with a PCP when you reach 40. That relationship will save you so much time and effort when things go sideways. She was struggling with this as she didn't want to be seen by her colleagues in her practice.

These days doctors are generally willing to even look at photographs you send them to triage the case. You might consider taking a set of photos from different angles and in a different light, and then set up a phone or video chat.

I am 90% sure I broke my toe from a crushing injury dropping a heavy stone on it. I consulted remotely, and I chose to not go in to the hospital to avoid the Covid risk. The doctor and I agreed it would likely heal on its own. I still want to get an x-ray eventually to see what the extent of the break was.