What are the causes of forearm pain?

Lower arms are basic to hand and arm development, so torment in this district can be exceedingly troublesome to every day life. Lower arm agony can come about because of various diverse causes, each requiring an alternate treatment approach.

The lower arms are made out of the sweep and ulna bones, which traverse the length of the lower arm to meet at the wrist joint. The area implies that the lower arm is naturally associated with a scope of regular arm or hand developments.

Therefore, damage or uneasiness in the lower arm can have a far reaching sway on versatility and meddle with every day working. For instance, lower arm agony can make it hard to type on a console or hold a thing with the hand.

Quick realities on lower arm torment:

The lower arm is the region between the wrist and the elbow of the arm.

Much of the time, a man can oversee lower arm torment with rest and organized movement.

A few gatherings of individuals might be at especially high danger of lower arm torment.

What are the causes?


Lady holding forearm that may be causing her pain







Forearm pain may be caused by injury, nerve entrapment, or arthritis.

The forearm contains several superficial, immediate, and deep muscles.

Like most body parts, its structures are connected by tendons and ligaments.

Forearm pain can occur for a variety of reasons including:

  • Injury: An acute trauma, such as a fall, can cause a fracture in one of the forearm bones or damage to the ligaments and tendons

  • Overuse: Some sports, such as tennis and certain types of weightlifting, put a high degree of pressure on muscles in the forearm and can cause them to strain. Excessive use of computers can also cause muscle strain in the forearm, which is known as a repetitive strain injury (RSI). Pains caused by RSI are becoming increasingly common in the workplace given the growth of computer-based labor.

  • Nerve entrapment: When nerves become compressed, it can cause pain, numbness, or a tingling feeling in and around the affected region. Nerve entrapment can be caused by a range of different syndromes affecting the forearm. The most common of which is carpal tunnel syndrome.

  • Arthritis: Arthritis can occur in the wrist or elbow, causing a dull ache in the forearm.

  • An underlying condition: Certain medical conditions, such as angina, can cause pain in the forearm.


The type of pain can vary depending on the cause. For example, nerve entrapment can cause shooting pains whereas arthritis of the elbow can cause a dull ache in the forearm. Overuse injuries, such as RSI, can induce both types of pain.





Treatment


The type of treatment will depend on the cause of the forearm pain and its severity.

Home treatments


In the case of an injury such as tendon damage, nerve entrapment, or overuse, a person can usually administer treatment at home using the following techniques:

  • Rest: Reducing activity involving the forearm will help the injured tendon, ligament, muscle, bone, or nerve to recover. A person should rest periodically rather than remaining inactive for sustained periods. However, a person with a sports-related forearm pain should avoid the sport until the pain has entirely subsided.

  • Pain medication: A person can take Ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory drugs to manage pain.

  • Immobilization: In cases whereby movement is very painful, a person may require a splint or sling to restrict movement and minimize pain.

  • Hot or cold therapy: The use of an ice pack can help to reduce inflammation and pain. A person may also try heat therapy after the swelling has gone down, which will also ease the pain.


Exercises and stretches


Treatment is often accompanied by exercises and stretches designed to rehabilitate and strengthen the forearm slowly. However, a person should only start doing exercises or stretches after consulting with a doctor to avoid aggravating the injury.

Wrist extension


Person pulling their wrist back as an exercise for forearm pain







A wrist extension exercise may be recommended to help treat forearm pain.

This exercise helps to stretch the forearm muscles:

  • Standing upright, extend the injured arm in front of you with palm parallel to the floor.

  • Using the opposite hand, pull the wrist back toward the body.

  • Pull the wrist back until feeling a stretch in the forearm but without feeling any pain

  • Hold the position for 20 seconds.


Elbow extension


Stretching the pronator muscle can help to improve flexibility and reduce pain in the forearm:

  • Sitting upright, place the elbow on a table or chair arm.

  • Using the opposing hand, gently push the forearm down towards the table or floor.

  • When feeling a stretch but without any pain, hold the position for 15 seconds.


Wrist rotations


This exercise can help to improve blood circulation through the forearm and flexes the wrists:

  • Extend arms in front of you with hands at shoulder height.

  • Make fists and rotate each wrist clockwise then anticlockwise in a circular motion.

  • Perform 10 repetitions in each direction.


Strength building exercises


During later stages of rehabilitation, it can be beneficial to go to a gym and use equipment such as cable machines, light dumbbells, or exercise bands. Strength building exercises, such as wrist curls or reverse curls, can help to build forearm strength, helping to prevent forearm pain from reoccurring.





Surgery or injections


Exercise is not always sufficient, and some people may require anti-inflammatory medications to reduce the pain. Sometimes, where the pain is caused by trapped nerves or other injuries, surgery may be required.

Prevention


A person can take basic precautions to help prevent forearm pain from occurring, such as:

  • Avoiding activities that put excessive strain on the forearm, such as tennis or certain types of weightlifting.

  • Taking regular breaks from extended periods of computer use and using an ergonomic keyboard at work.

  • Strengthening the forearm and increasing grip strength through resistance training.

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1 comments:

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