Pain in the forearm

The forearm is the part between the elbow joint and the wrist joint. It contains many muscles essential for hand function. Pain in the forearm can therefore be very bothersome during daily activities that require the use of the hands.

Anatomy of the forearm

The forearm consists of two bones: the ulna and the radius. Thanks to these two bones, it is possible to rotate the forearm without moving the elbow or wrist joints. There are 19 muscles in the forearm, classified into three groups:

• Muscles responsible only for forearm movement.
• Muscles that attach to the hand bones and thus enable hand movement.
• Muscles that attach to the finger bones, helping to move the fingers.

Various blood vessels and nerves run through the forearm. The blood vessels supply the forearm and hand with nutrients and carry away waste products. The nerves allow movement control and enable us to feel pain.

Pain symptoms

Pain in the forearm can arise either suddenly or gradually.

Acute forearm pain

Sudden pain is often the result of an accident or fall, which can damage various structures in the forearm. Muscle tears, bruises, and bone fractures are common in acute forearm pain.

Non-acute forearm pain

Pain without a clear cause that gradually increases over time is usually due to overuse. The forearm muscles are important for hand, wrist and elbow function. When these muscles are strained by heavy or prolonged activities, pain develops. The tendons of these muscles are particularly sensitive as they are less well supplied with blood and heal more slowly after overuse.

Commonly seen

The most well-known condition of the forearm is the tennis elbow (also known as lateral epicondylitis). In this condition, the attachment of several forearm muscles on the outer side of the elbow is affected. The pain can radiate across the entire length of the forearm. Pain on the inner side of the elbow/forearm is often referred to as a golfer's elbow.

The muscles in the forearm, like those in the lower leg, are organised into different compartments. In overuse, high pressure can build up within a compartment, leading to significant discomfort in the forearm area.

In addition to pain from muscles, tendons and bones, nerves can also cause pain in the forearm. The cause is then often located in the elbow, where the nerve may become compressed, leading to radiating pain in the forearm.

Check your forearm complaints

Do you currently have pain in your forearm and want to know what’s wrong? You can investigate yourself first by taking the online physiotherapy check. Indicate where you feel the pain in your forearm and answer several questions about your symptoms. You’ll then receive an overview of forearm complaints you may be experiencing. It is advisable to have a physiotherapist examine your forearm afterwards.

In our overview of physiotherapists you can easily find a nearby physiotherapy practice that can help you further.

Conditions

The following conditions can cause pain in the forearm. Click on a condition name for more information.