knot on tibia after fall - normal?

about 3 weeks ago, i was at the gym getting on the elliptical trainers. i fell and hit the step with my right shin (all my body weight - a lot of impact :chuckle ). it barely broke the skin, but made a whopping bruise for about 1.5 weeks. i could not do certain exercises like leg extensions.

2 weeks later the bruise was gone, but my shin started hurting when i walked. tonight when i rubbed lotion over the area (tibia), i had a huge knot there. i just now measured it: 4.5 inches x 3 inches. it is not bruised like a hematoma. it just hurts - all the time.

here is my thought process: if i originally fractured it, i should not have been able to use it over the last 2-3 weeks --- right? so, that is why i did not go to the dr.

could the knot just be normal remodeling of the bone after an injury (osteoclasts and osteoblast activity after an injury make the area inflamed and sore) ??? maybe ???

what to do next? ... ice or heat?...... nsaids/tyl ??..... wrap it with ace bandage or not? ......and duhhh - go to the dr or not? ...i really don't want to spend the $30 at the dr office if it is more than likely not warranted (we are really pinching pennies with tcu tuition coming up) $30 for dr + more if xrays.

i am curious as to what are your thoughts or suggestions?

thanks for any and all comments,

lifelongstudent.....aka...klutz