[Elspode]

One of the dangers of untreated injuries to joints is the greater liability you'll have to future complications from arthritis. Take it from someone who knows...get it looked at. In the meantime, take 600-800 mg of ibuprofen three times per day, ice it on a semi-regular schedule, and work it through a simple range of motion.

If the pain isn't greatly diminished by the ibuprofen regimen, you definitely need to get it looked at. You could have a bone chip, tendon brusing, an outright fracture. There's no limit to damage that can be done to a joint. They're complex machines and replacement parts are unreasonably expensive.