Overview
Forearm pain (sometimes called tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis) refers to discomfort or pain between the wrist and elbow. It can result from injury, inflammation, overuse, or trauma to the muscles, bones, tendons, nerves, or skin of the forearm. The forearm contains two bones: the radius and ulna.
Forearm pain is commonly caused by sports injuries, repetitive strain, fractures, pinched nerves, or accidents. Less commonly, it may be due to infection, cysts, or tumors. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, location, and severity of the pain.
Seek emergency medical help if you experience forearm pain with a visible fracture, significant bleeding, paralysis, or numbness. Forearm pain can interfere with daily activities such as typing, lifting, and dressing.
Common Causes of Forearm Pain
Most forearm pain results from injury or inflammation of the forearm’s structures. Overuse or repetitive strain (e.g., typing, sports) can lead to conditions like tendinitis or tennis elbow. Sometimes, pain may radiate from the upper arm or shoulder.
- The Radius: Runs from the elbow to the thumb side of the wrist.
- Muscles: Control rotation, flexion, and extension of the wrist and fingers.
- Musculoskeletal issues: Problems with how bones, muscles, and tendons interact can cause pain.
- Positional causes: Repetitive motions (typing, crutching) can compress nerves and blood vessels, leading to swelling and discomfort.
- Biomechanics: Dislocations or sprains may cause persistent pain.
- Fractures: Trauma (falls, accidents) can break bones, causing pain, swelling, and sometimes visible deformity.
- Sprains: Twisting or stretching ligaments or tendons can cause pain, often seen in sports like golf (“golfer’s elbow”).
- Stress: Everyday activities (dressing, typing) can strain the forearm.
- Brachial Plexopathy: Injury to the nerve network between the neck and shoulder can cause forearm pain.
- Sports injuries: Common in athletes and after accidents.
- Osteomyelitis: Infection of the forearm bones, usually by bacteria.
- Repetitive strain injuries: Caused by repeated wrist use (typing, racquet sports), sometimes leading to carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Bruises: Trauma can cause blood to pool, resulting in pain and discoloration.
Understanding the relationship between forearm pain and biceps femoris muscle function is important, as this muscle helps stabilize the arm during activity.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis depends on the nature and location of the pain. A healthcare professional will assess your medical history, perform a physical exam, and may order imaging tests (X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, or CT). Nerve conduction studies or EMG may be used for nerve-related pain.
- Thoracic outlet syndrome: Diagnosed with history, exam, imaging, and sometimes nerve or blood flow studies.
- Brachial plexopathy: Diagnosed with EMG, CT, MRI, or angiography.
- Osteomyelitis: Can be difficult to diagnose; may require blood tests and imaging.
Treatment for Forearm Pain
Treatment depends on the cause and severity. Common options include:
- Rest and activity modification
- Physical therapy and targeted exercises
- Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs, ibuprofen)
- Splints or braces
- Steroid injections for severe inflammation
- Surgery (rare, for severe cases or nerve/tendon repair)
Prolotherapy
In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat forearm pain.
Published research has demonstrated its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative benefits.
Prolotherapy involves injecting a natural regenerative solution with tiny needles. This stimulates the production of collagen cells, which are essential for repairing damage and supporting forearm structures.
By addressing the root cause, prolotherapy is considered a long-term solution, helping to prevent symptoms from returning.
Preventative Measures
To help prevent forearm pain:
- Take regular breaks from repetitive activities
- Use ergonomic tools and proper technique
- Strengthen and stretch forearm muscles
- Maintain good posture
- Warm up before sports or heavy activity
- Massage and myofascial release can help relax tight muscles and fascia
Forearm Pain Prevention Exercises
- Squeeze a Tennis Ball: Hold for a few seconds, repeat as tolerated.
- Arm Rotations: With arm extended, rotate the wrist as if flipping a pancake. Gradually add weight as strength improves.
- Wrist Extension and Flexion: Bend wrist up and down, holding each position for a few seconds. Add light weights as you progress.
- Flexion: With palm up, lift the wrist and hold. Stretching the pronator muscle can improve flexibility and reduce pain.
Bottom Line
Forearm pain can be disruptive, but most cases respond well to rest, therapy, and targeted treatments. However, some medical conditions (like angina) can cause forearm pain, so always seek medical advice if you’re unsure or if symptoms are severe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is forearm pain a symptom of?
Forearm pain can be a symptom of overuse injury, sports trauma, bone fracture, accidental injury, pinched nerves, tissue infection, or a general infection.
When should I be concerned about forearm pain?
Be concerned if you suspect a bone fracture, joint damage, or nerve injury. Seek immediate care for visible deformity, severe pain, or continuous bleeding.
How do I know if my forearm pain is serious?
Sudden, severe pain, crunching or popping sounds, visible deformity, or bulging bone are signs of a serious injury. Seek medical attention immediately.
Can carpal tunnel cause forearm pain?
Yes, carpal tunnel syndrome can cause forearm pain due to compression of the median nerve at the wrist, leading to pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and forearm.
Why does my forearm ache at night?
Nighttime forearm pain can result from overuse, injury, arthritis, nerve issues, or infection. If pain persists, consult a healthcare professional.
How do I treat forearm pain?
You can treat forearm pain by:
- Resting for 2–3 days
- Applying ice
- Elevating the forearm
- Using compression wraps
Contact ProHealth Clinic Today for Your FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call
Don’t let forearm pain control your life any longer. Join the thousands of patients who have found lasting relief through prolotherapy at ProHealth Clinic.
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Author Bio
Having performed over 10,000 procedures, Mr Eaton is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in the field of treating forearm pain, with patients travelling to see him from across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
With over 12 years of clinical experience, Oliver is dedicated to helping patients understand their symptoms associated with forearm pain and providing effective treatment options to alleviate them.
He qualified in Prolozone Therapy and Prolotherapy in America with the American Academy of Ozonotherapy. He continued on to complete further qualifications at the Royal Society of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital in London, Keele University’s Anatomy & Surgical Training Centre, and the medical department of Heidelberg University in Germany.
Over the years he has had the privilege of treating many elite-level athletes, including both Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.
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References
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- Rosenbaum R. Disputed radial tunnel syndrome. Muscle & Nerve. 1999;22(7):960–7. Physio-Pedia
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- MacIver H, Smyth G, Bird HA. Occupational disorders: non-specific forearm pain. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology. 2007;21(2):349–65.
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- Bardsley AF, Soutar DS, Elliot D, Batchelor AG. Reducing morbidity in the radial forearm flap donor site. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 1990;86(2):287–92; discussion 293.
- Hagert E, Hagert CG. Upper Extremity Nerve Entrapments: The Axillary and Radial Nerves-Clinical Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment. PubMed