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How do I Treat Forearm Injuries?

Meshell Powell
Meshell Powell

The forearm is the portion of the arm between the wrist and the elbow. Forearm injuries are relatively common and can involve the muscles or bones located in this region of the arm. Treatment depends on the exact nature of the injury and can include resting the arm, applying heat or ice therapy, and performing gentle exercises. Occasionally, surgical intervention is necessary if the damage from the injury is extensive.

The majority of injuries to the forearm involve damage to the muscles and tendons in this part of the arm. This can occur as a result of sports injuries, strenuous exercise involving this part of the body, or violent injuries such as automobile accidents or various work-related injuries. These muscle strains are classified according to severity and are referred to as either mild, moderate, or severe.

Gentle arm exercises may help treat forearm injuries.
Gentle arm exercises may help treat forearm injuries.

In the case of forearm injuries that are classified as being mild, there is evidence of only a slightly pulled muscle with no loss of muscle strength. This type of injury can often be treated at home with the use of ice therapy and over-the-counter pain medications. It is important to rest the affected muscle until the injury has had time to repair itself.

Forearm injuries may require surgery.
Forearm injuries may require surgery.

Moderate injuries involve torn muscle fibers or tendons. In some cases, there is a tear where the tendon attaches to a bone. With this type of injury, the patient notices a decrease in muscle strength in the affected arm. This type of injury is often treated the same way as a mild strain, but the healing time may be considerably longer.

With severe forearm injuries, the muscle or tendon is ruptured, usually at the point of attachment to a bone. This injury most often requires surgical intervention to repair the damaged tissues. Often, the surgery is on an outpatient basis, but recovery will still take considerably longer than with less serious forearm injuries. The patient will be sent home with instructions on how to properly care for the arm after the surgery as well as instructions on when it is safe to return to normal daily activities.

One of the most common types of treatment for forearm fractures is casting, which typically is done in the less severe fractures.
One of the most common types of treatment for forearm fractures is casting, which typically is done in the less severe fractures.

The symptoms are similar for all forearm injuries. Some of these symptoms include pain and swelling of the affected area, and muscle spasms are common. It is important to seek prompt medical attention in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis and determine the severity of the injury. If a severe injury remains untreated, it is possible for permanent damage to occur.

Discussion Comments

anon336450

My best friend has a forearm to wrist muscle injury. I asked him on a scale of 1-10 with one as bad and ten as good how he felt. He said 3. His injury was either due to weightlifting or breakdancing. He doesn't know but those are the two that we have both concluded. This injury was a good two or three weeks ago.

shell4life

I had forearm pain from a big bruise once. I got hit in the arm with a baseball, and the area was so tender for weeks!

I put ice on it right away, and I'm sure that kept it from swelling as much as it could have. Still, I got a dark bruise that went through many colors of the rainbow before fading back to skin tone.

I iced it for the first several days to relieve the pain and keep it from swelling. I also had to be careful not to bump it with anything.

giddion

My grandmother has muscle and join pain in her forearms, as well as her fingers. Hers is due to arthritis, and she takes special medication for that. She also uses a cream that heats up her muscles and makes her feel better.

DylanB

@Kristee – That sounds like the hand and wrist pain that I went through after starting to sew on a regular basis. I did stitching by hand, and I quickly grew weary.

The pain didn't stop at my wrist, though. It radiated up my forearm along a twisted path.

I took ibuprofen and massaged the area for relief. I also had to learn to take breaks when necessary.

Kristee

The only kind of forearm injury I've ever suffered was simple strain. I do a lot of typing and mouse clicking at work, so on really busy days, my forearm muscles get fatigued.

After I first started my job, the strain was the worst. My arm muscles were not yet used to the excessive use, and I would have to apply a heating pad for relief when I got home.

This forearm pain was a dull ache that worsened with use. My muscles gradually grew accustomed to the work, though, and I could make it through a long day without pain.

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    • Gentle arm exercises may help treat forearm injuries.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Gentle arm exercises may help treat forearm injuries.
    • Forearm injuries may require surgery.
      By: tanyaross71
      Forearm injuries may require surgery.
    • One of the most common types of treatment for forearm fractures is casting, which typically is done in the less severe fractures.
      By: Mendolo
      One of the most common types of treatment for forearm fractures is casting, which typically is done in the less severe fractures.
    • Mild injuries like a pulled muscle can be treated with ice and over-the-counter pain medication.
      By: ruigsantos
      Mild injuries like a pulled muscle can be treated with ice and over-the-counter pain medication.
    • Forearm injuries may extend to the elbow.
      By: praisaeng
      Forearm injuries may extend to the elbow.