What Causes Swelling, Pain And Crackling Noise In Knuckles?

I was in a laying down position pushing somebody off of me last march 2011, i hurt my hand. the next morning it was severely swollen on the hand knuckle part, a bruise in the middle of my hand,I couldnt make a fist, and couldnt bend my fingers from middle to pinky on my right hand. I went to ER, they took xrays nothing broken, gave me a splint... I can make a fist but my hand knuckles are noticably swollen and the middle finger still hurts, there is also some crackling noises in that knuckle area when I move the finger back and forth. What do you believe is wrong with my knuckles? Should I go back to the doctors? I dont have insurance, please advise. Thank you in advance. Sincerely, Rondhi