Forearm Pain

Forearm Pain

Forearm pain can occur due to several causes (non-serious and serious), including injury to the bones, muscles, and nerves. Home remedies and rest from strenuous physical activity can provide relief to individuals suffering from forearm pain. However, medical intervention may be required if the forearm pain has a serious underlying cause. 

Let's understand the Forearm Pain in detail.

What Causes Forearm Pain?

Forearm pain can be attributed to any type of injury caused due to physical activity or by an underlying problem that requires proper diagnosis. Some causes of forearm pain are:

• Injury: Trauma due to falling or other such action can cause a fracture, dislocation, etc., causing pain.
• Straining: Certain activities involving excessive use of muscles, such as weightlifting, can cause muscle strain.
• Nerve Entrapment: When nerves become compressed, the surrounding areas can cause itching, burning, or painful sensation.
• Aging: Due to gradual aging and loss of bone strength, older people can experience forearm pain.
• Joint pain: Health problems such as arthritis can cause forearm pain in the aging population.
• Underlying Condition: Patients undergoing a heart attack often express symptoms such as forearm pain in the left hand. Patients suffering from thyroid problems and diabetes also experience nerve problems causing pain.
• Lifestyle Problems: People who have a desk job and work on desktops for hours at a time tend to develop forearm pain over time.

Common Symptoms of Forearm Pain

People may experience varying degrees of pain depending upon the underlying reason for forearm pain. For example, nerve-related problems can cause a lot of pain, while patients suffering from arthritis have a consistent, dull ache. People with fractured forearms can have additional symptoms, such as swelling and tenderness in the area of the fracture. Patients suffering from angina pain have chest pain, light-headedness, shortness of breath, nausea and/or vomiting, along with forearm pain.

Diagnosis

Certain causes of forearm pain resolve on their own (such as in cases of straining). However, in most other cases, the diagnosis of forearm pain can be performed by an experienced physician or doctor. If the patient is suffering from diabetes or thyroid issues, or is over 60 years of age, the regular visiting doctor may help identify forearm pain as the side effect of the underlying health problems. The doctor may perform certain tests, including ultrasound, MRI, X-ray, ECG, or maybe for diabetes, to confirm the reason for forearm pain.

Treatment

Different causes of forearm pain lead to different types of treatments. Sometimes, it may be treated well with physiotherapy and pain medication. Some form of the following treatments may be suggested:

• Rest
• Medication
• Physiotherapy or light exercises
• Immobilization
• Hot and cold therapy for swelling

If the pain cannot be managed with the help of the above treatments, the doctor may deem it necessary to opt for surgery, especially in case of trapped or overlapped nerves.

What to do at home to relieve Forearm Pain?

Oftentimes some light exercises for the hand are recommended for forearm pain. In case of strain, it will be resolved within a few days. In case of a fracture, complete rest at home may be recommended. In other cases, physical exercises and medication may be recommended for optimal healing results. Exercising at the gym or at home for strength-building during the recovery period may be good for forearm pain and overall health. However, starting an exercise without consulting the doctor or physician is not advisable; otherwise, there is a risk of worsening the injury or forearm pain.
Patients will be given very specific exercises by their general physician or doctor based on their individual medical situation.

When to consult a doctor for Forearm Pain?

Not every type of forearm pain requires medical treatment. However, in serious cases, patients must visit a doctor.

Fracture: In case of an accident and suspicion of a dislocated arm or a fracture to the ulna and radius of the arm, it is advisable to seek medical care.

Chest Pain: If forearm pain is accompanied by chest pain, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, or breaking out in a cold sweat, immediate medical attention is necessary as these symptoms may indicate the possibility of a heart attack.

Chronic Pain: If a slight injury persists for more than a few days, increases in intensity, or if an individual experience recurring pain, it is recommended to seek medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause of forearm pain.

Disease: Individuals with arthritis or certain medical conditions such as diabetes and thyroid issues may benefit from consulting a doctor for the management of forearm pain.

Conclusion

If an individual has experienced a mild sprain, they are likely to be able to manage forearm pain on their own with stretching, light exercises, and rest. If the cause of forearm pain is not understood, consulting a doctor might help in diagnosing any underlying problems properly.

If forearm pain occurs suddenly, along with other symptoms, it may be necessary to treat it as an emergency and seek medical attention from top doctors and physicians at a reputable healthcare facility.

FAQs

1. When should I be concerned about forearm pain?

Most cases of forearm pain are not harmful, and simple rest can be sufficient. It is advisable to seek medical attention if there is persistent, recurring, or intolerable pain in the forearm.

2. What does Forearm Tendonitis feel like?

There are many symptoms of forearm tendonitis. Inflammation is the most common symptom. Pain, redness, swelling, and tenderness are generally accompanying symptoms in the case of forearm tendonitis.

3. How long does the Forearm Strain take to heal?

Depending upon the severity of the strain, forearm pain can last anywhere between a few hours to a few days. Usually, pain relieving medication can be used to manage pain from straining.

References:

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