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.
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.
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.
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.