Hi Sarah - I agree with Karen. I'm 29 and have had knee pain & swelling for 2 years. I get the same runaround and have tried physio, etc, but they have not healed. I realize now I have not been as persistent as I could be & now have another appointment to follow up because I took a wrong step recently & they are even worse. I am practically dependant on my family & friends to drive me around and I have many sleepless nights.
get a second opinion and explain how it impacts your day to day activity. does it affect your sleep? work? ability to drive? stand for long periods of time? if so, emphasize this. if they try to blow you off, persist. bring a list of questions & your symptoms with you to the appointment so you don't forget. it may be whatever you did can not be diagnosed by a simple physical exam of your knee, so they tend to treat it conservatively at first.
I have a family member in medicine who gave me this advice, trying to prep me for my upcoming appointment.
wish me luck and the best to you
Denise