Football hand injury; what should I do?

Dear Ask The Doctor: About two week ago i got my hand smashed between two helmats and stright back from my pointer finger on my right hand up by my wrist there is a larg bump and it hurt to tougch or when pressure is applyed the athletic trainer said it may be a bone contution??? what is a bone contution and what shoukd i do

Dear Winston: According to your description, most likely you may had a sprain of the hand-wrist, the healing time for such injuries varies from patient to patient, but generally requires Protection (splinting and avoidance of painful movements and activities), Rest, Ice the first 24 hours and then local heat (hot moist compresses or paraffin baths), anti inflammatory medication (i.e.: “Aleve”) so you can come back progressively to your daily routine in about 4-6 weeks. It is recommended that you keep using a wrist brace and avoid movements and activities that put additional stress on the wrist. But if the limitation of the movements, pain, inflammation continues you should be evaluated by hand specialist and probably you will need to get some X-rays, CT scan or MRI taken to rule out some other causes of wrist pain and limitation as for example: Scafoid fracture, which can produce persistent pain and limitation on the wrist after a forced extension injury in young and active individuals.