Knee pooped, have I done something serious?

[hoolagirl]

About a year ago I really really hurt my knee, I whacked it off something really hard. The pain was so bad I couldn't move off the floor, I just lay there (didn't even howl it was beyond that) clutching it as my 1 and a half year old fell over and i couldn't get up.
Sorry for long windedness, just trying to describe how sore!
Eventually it was ok, hobbled for a few weeks, DP had to get DS up and down stairs etc.
Anyway, today in same knee started getting twinges again, now am back to hopping uup and down stairs holding onto bannisters.
I think its related to earlier injury as got bump on kneecap that never fully went away.
Does anyone know if I have done any real damage here?

Oh please any doctors or nurses about ..

It doesn't sound like it's unstable if you're hopping up and down stairs.

I tore a ligament in my knee and my knee kept giving out.

I am a woman of great knee pain. I know how you feel. Mine is cartilage but I'm putting off having an operation for various reasons (MRSA, kids, pain, scared stiff etc etc!).

I think you might need an xray or an MRI to find out what is really wrong.

I've had 4 knee surgeries.

I have limited cartilage in my left knee.

It sometimes hurts and I'll probably get osteoarthritis in it.

Thanks, if it's still bad over weekend will try to get up for an x-ray.
Not sore when im sitting down and can walk normally, just can't do stairs.