How do you know if your leg is bruised or fractured?

[DonaStColumb]

I fell and hurt my shin very badly about 6-8weeks ago. It was agony, had to hobble for a number of days but I thought it was just bruised. Anyway, it is still sore and there is now a hard lump on my shin. I'm just wondering whether I did a bit more damage than I thought.
Dont really want to waste a doctors appointment if it is just bruised but this lump is a little odd.
Any information on this would be great.

You don't know without an xray, but generally with long bones, if they are broken, you can't walk on them. The lump is prob just scarring from bruising, but worth getting checked

I thought I wouldnt be able to put any weight on it at all if it was broken, hence thinking it was just bruised.I can walk on it now without any pain but its still sore to touch.
I have had a long term illness the last 3 years and have been much better since the summer and so was enjoying not needing to go to the doctor. That sound really daft when reading back my OP.
May head down to the local phamarcy as they deal with minor injuries and are very nice and see what they say.
Thanks

When I had a broken leg the pain was awful I could not have stood up if you asked me, the break was mid shin. I could only bear weight on it 5 days after corrective surgery.