How To Treat A Sprained Forearm?

How To Treat A Sprained Forearm
Treatment – For immediate self-care of a muscle strain, try the R.I.C.E. approach — rest, ice, compression, elevation:

  • Rest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort. But don’t avoid all physical activity.
  • Ice. Even if you’re seeking medical help, ice the area immediately. Use an ice pack or slush bath of ice and water for 15 to 20 minutes each time and repeat every two to three hours while you’re awake for the first few days after the injury.
  • Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the area with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops. Don’t wrap it too tightly or you may hinder circulation. Begin wrapping at the end farthest from your heart. Loosen the wrap if the pain increases, the area becomes numb or swelling is occurring below the wrapped area.
  • Elevation. Elevate the injured area above the level of your heart, especially at night, which allows gravity to help reduce swelling.

Some doctors recommend avoiding over-the-counter pain medications that can increase your risk of bleeding — such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) — during the first 48 hours after a muscle strain. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can be helpful for pain relief during this time period.

Contents

How long does a sprained forearm take to heal?

How long it takes for a sprain or strain to heal – After 2 weeks, most sprains and strains will feel better. Avoid strenuous exercise such as running for up to 8 weeks, as there’s a risk of further damage. Severe sprains and strains can take months to get back to normal.

Should you massage a sprained forearm?

Summary – Massage plays an important role to the rehabilitation stage of injury. Massage can help a range of injuries including sprains, strains, broken bones and muscles tears. Many types of massage can be used to treat injuries. The most common types of massage used for injury include remedial massage, Swedish massage, deep tissue massage and sports massage.

Should I wrap a sprained forearm?

– If you have a minor sprain or strain, you may turn to compression wrapping to help alleviate swelling. Keep in mind that elastic bandages are for compression and provide minimal support. Keep a close eye on your wrapped injury to make sure that the compression wrap isn’t cutting off circulation to your foot, hand, or any other part of your body.

Do you need a cast for a sprained forearm?

What we have learned – You will need only a sling for any sprain you have. True or false? The answer is false. A sprain can be treated with a sling, elastic bandage, splint, or cast. Most sprains heal in 2 months. True or false? The answer is false. Most sprains heal in 1 to 2 weeks with home treatment.

How long do forearm injuries last?

How long does it take to recover from a broken arm or wrist? – In most cases it takes around 6 to 8 weeks to recover from a broken arm or wrist. It can take longer if your arm or wrist was severely damaged. You will need to wear your plaster cast until the broken bone heals.

Is my forearm broken or sprained?

Know the Difference – While the only way to know for sure whether you’re dealing with a sprain, strain or broken bone is to consult a specialist, there are some signs to look for that may help you tell the difference. Dr. Danney says to look out for some immediate symptoms to consider:

Does the area look deformed? If, after injury, the extremity looks deformed or out of place, it is a good indicator of a broken bone or dislocation. Can you bear weight? If the injury happened to an ankle, knee, arm, wrist or other load-bearing extremity, see if you can put weight on it. If you can walk with soreness, it is unlikely that it is broken. Is there significant swelling? If the injured area experiences immediate and severe swelling, that could be a sign of a broken bone or fracture. However, if the swelling is mild and develops gradually, it is likely a sprain or strain.

Although these are helpful indicators, it is possible to have a fracture or broken bone without having these symptoms. That is why if you are experiencing significant pain, discomfort, swelling or bruising, it’s a good idea to get an accurate diagnosis.

  1. Because while rest is often the best medicine for strains and mild-to-moderate sprains, severe sprain injuries may require surgery, physical therapy or both.
  2. Breaks need immediate attention to determine if casting, surgery or both may be needed.
  3. Our team of experienced will conduct a thorough examination to diagnose the nature and severity of the injury.

We know injuries can often happen at unexpected times, that’s why we offer same-day appointments to help you get the care you need, when you need it. Keep up with Texas Orthopedics news by following us on and, : Sprained or Broken? How to Tell a Sprain From a Break | Texas Orthopedics

Do arm sprains heal on their own?

When will a sprain heal on its own? – A mild sprain should heal without medical attention. However, you will need to take care of your injury at home. Apply the RICE method:

Rest Ice Compression Elevation

You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers. It’s critical to allow your injury enough time to recover before heading back out to the field. Returning to your regular activities too quickly will most likely lead to another, possibly more severe, injury.

What does a torn ligament in the forearm feel like?

Torn ligaments and tendons are commonly the result of slip and fall accidents, many of which occur around the home, in a store, or even a restaurant. Knees, ankles, wrists and elbows are some of the most commonly injured joints with ailments that include sprains and strains.

  1. A stretched ligament may result in pain, numbness, tingling and pressure due to inflammation around the site of the injury.
  2. A torn ligament can result in varying degrees of pain and discomfort, depending on the extent of the injury.
  3. It may produce heat, extensive inflammation, popping or cracking noises, severe pain, instability within the joint and an inability to put weight or pressure on the joint.

If ligaments in the hand, wrist or elbow are torn or stretched, it may be hard to grasp or hold onto objects. Because ligaments and tendons are made of connective tissue, continued use and movement may only aggravate the injury further. If you feel that you may have torn a ligament or tendon, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Attempting to stabilize the joint on your own can cause the injury to worsen. If you leave the injury untreated, the risk of it healing abnormally is also a concern. Over-the-counter medications may help to reduce inflammation and pain. It is important to limit the amount of movement of the injured area as much as possible until you can consult with a physician.

In most cases, a brace is needed to stabilize the joint until sufficient healing takes place. If the injury is severe enough, surgery may be required to ensure the ligaments and tendons are properly attached to their respective origin and insertion points.

Many doctors recommend a short period of physical therapy to help strengthen the area and facilitate the healing process. Sprains and strains also take considerable time to heal because they affect the ligaments and tendons. Ligaments and tendons are made of connective tissues that have a limited blood supply.

Since oxygen is needed for an injury to heal, these specific areas take a significant time to heal because they do not have the same exposure to oxygen as muscles and other types of soft tissue. If you feel you have a ligament or tendon that may be torn, consult with the friendly staff of Multi-Care Medical. ©2022 Multi Care Medical Centers. All rights reserved. Web development by 109 Digital,

What is the difference between a sprain and a strain?

Overview – A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments — the tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect two bones together in your joints. The most common location for a sprain is in your ankle. Initial treatment includes rest, ice, compression and elevation.

Mild sprains can be successfully treated at home. Severe sprains sometimes require surgery to repair torn ligaments. The difference between a sprain and a strain is that a sprain injures the bands of tissue that connect two bones together, while a strain involves an injury to a muscle or to the band of tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone.

Most ankle sprains involve injuries to the three ligaments on the outside of your ankle. Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that stabilize joints and help prevent excessive movement. An ankle sprain occurs when you roll, twist or turn your ankle in an awkward way.

What happens if a sprain is left untreated?

Back to articles Sydney K. Yau Aug 19, 2016 Every day, there are an estimated 30,000 ankle sprains in the United States. In fact, sprains account for 75 percent of all ankle injuries. While most ankle sprains resolve themselves with no long-lasting effect, approximately 20 percent to 40 percent progress to become chronic (ongoing) problems.

The ankle depends on particular ligaments and muscles to stay stable. The most common ligament-related ankle injuries involve the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. These are called the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL). It is important to note that ankle sprains are often not just ligament injuries; there can be injuries to other structures surrounding the ankle.

Injuries that can occur following an ankle sprain include tendon tears, chip fractures off of a bone or in the ankle joint, and cartilage damage. If you experience a sprain, it is important to be thoroughly evaluated by a medical professional—such as a podiatrist (DPM)—to ensure that all of the structures around the ankle are in working order.

  • If an ankle sprain is left untreated, it may lead to a chronically unstable ankle joint and, from there, to degenerative and arthritic changes in the ankle, as well as chronic tendon inflammation.
  • It may also feel as if the ankle is constantly trying to give out, which can, from there, cause a re-injury of the ankle.
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There are several things you should never do if you have an ankle sprain: Don’t “walk it off” and continue playing. Severe sprains should be immobilized and should not be played on after injury. Playing on an ankle sprain may lead to further injury of the ankle ligaments.

Don’t ignore it. The highest risk factor for future sprains is a history of a prior sprain. This is especially true in sprains that were not treated. If they’re left untreated, sprains will often cause the ankle to become unstable, which can lead to chronic pain, swelling, instability and, ultimately, arthritis.

Don’t delay treatment. Sprains should be immobilized quickly, with the ankle ligaments in a stable position. This enables the ligaments to heal in the correct position while the injury is fresh and the body is sending inflammatory and growth factors to heal the sprain.

Any delay in treatment may result in the ankle ligaments stretching and becoming lax, which can lead to an unstable ankle. Other injuries that occur at the same time—such as tendon tears and cartilage injuries—should be promptly diagnosed as well to get appropriate treatment going as soon as possible.

After a sprain, take these steps to ensure the quickest and most complete recovery possible: Have the injury evaluated by a medical professional, such as a podiatrist (DPM). After an initial look at the injury, your doctor may order an X-ray to rule out any associated fracture.

Occasionally, an MRI is helpful in order to see if the injury includes a tendon tear or damage to cartilage. A prompt and accurate diagnosis of your injury will aid in its healing. Rehabilitate the ankle. Physical therapy is important after any sprain to help strengthen the ankle. Special exercises—called proprioception exercises—are especially important to help train the muscles to stabilize the ankle.

This involves balance exercises, such as standing on the injured ankle alone and using a wobble board. Immobilize the ankle. It is important to immobilize the ankle properly in order for the ligaments to heal in a tight and stable position. If not, the ligaments may heal in a lax position, leading to chronic ankle instability and further injury.

  • An ankle sprain may seem like just one of those things that happens now and then, but if it isn’t treated promptly and appropriately, what appears to be a small injury can lead to chronic ankle instability—and it may eventually cause arthritis and other ailments.
  • Don’t hesitate to ask for medical help for ankle sprain, and don’t neglect rehabilitating the injury to ensure a strong, stable and healthy ankle in the future.

Sydney K. Yau, DPM, is a podiatrist with the University Foot and Ankle Institute of Simi Valley and is on the medical staff at Simi Valley Hospital.

Is ice or heat better for a sprained arm?

Frequently Asked Questions: When Do You Ice And When Do You Heat? – Determining when to use ice or heat therapy can be complicated. To assist, we’ve answered below some of the most frequently asked questions about when to ice and when to heat acute injuries and chronic conditions.

  1. Should I use ice or heat for back pain? Heat therapy is particularly helpful with chronic conditions, especially muscle stiffness and soreness.
  2. Localized stiffness may benefit from heating packs while regional stiffness and denser tissues may respond better to a warm bath.
  3. If the lower back pain is the result of a recent injury, such as a muscle strain, it’s best to follow the R.I.C.E.

method for the first few days then, after about 72 hours, transition to heat therapy. Should I use ice or heat for pulled muscles? A pulled muscle should first be treated using the R.I.C.E. method. During the first 72 hours, heat should be avoided to prevent increased swelling and inflammation.

  1. After about 72 hours, heat can be incorporated into treatment to increase blood flow and aid the overall healing process.
  2. Should I use ice or heat for swelling? After an acute injury, ice should be used to minimize swelling for the first two to three days.
  3. After this period, heat can be used to increase blood flow and assist the natural healing process.

Applying heat too early may cause additional swelling by increasing blood flow to the injury. Should I treat a sprained ankle with ice or heat? A sprained ankle will require both ice and heat at different points in the recovery. Initially, treatment will focus on rest, ice, compression, and elevation.

  1. After about 48 to 72 hours – or once the swelling has satisfactorily decreased – heat can then be used to increase blood flow to the injury and aid your recovery.
  2. Should I use heat or ice for muscle spasms? Heat therapy increases blood flow and this improved circulation may help with muscular spasms throughout the body.

Massage and stretching may also alleviate pain and discomfort associated with a spasmodic muscle. Should I use ice or heat for neck pain? Many patients ask whether or not to use heat or ice for stiff neck muscles. Neck pain associated with chronic pain, general muscle soreness, or stiffness should be treated with heat therapy.

However, a new injury usually calls for the RICE method to be used for the first two to three days, and then individuals may transition to heat therapy. Should I use ice or heat for shoulder pain? For new or acute injuries, the RICE technique is recommended for the first 24-72 hours. Once swelling has subsided, heat therapy can be used to help increase blood flow to the area and aid recovery.

Heat therapy can also be used to help with the stiffness, aching, and general pain associated with a chronic condition, as needed. Should I use ice or heat for knee pain? The type of knee injury will help determine the proper ice or heat regimen moving forward.

  • For new acute injuries, the RICE method should be used immediately following an injury, and then heat can be applied after two to three days to increase blood flow.
  • For chronic injuries, pain, stiffness, and soreness without swelling, heat may be more appropriate.
  • Heat therapy may help with arthritis, knee pain, and stiff joints by using heat packs, pads, and submerging the affected area in warm water.

In some cases, gel packs may be more effective than traditional heat packs, due to their ability to form around the joint and penetrate tissues.

Can you move your arm if it’s sprained?

A sprain is an injury to the ligaments around a joint. A ligament is a band of tissue that connects bone to bone. The ligaments in your elbow help connect the bones of your upper and lower arm around your elbow joint. When you sprain your elbow, you have pulled or torn one or more of the ligaments in your elbow joint.

You fall with your arm stretched out, such as when playing sportsYour elbow is hit very hard, such as during a car accidentWhen you are doing sports and overusing your elbow

You may notice:

Elbow pain and swelling Bruising, redness, or warmth around your elbowPain when you move your elbowElbow is unstable with particular movement

Tell your provider if you heard a “pop” when you injured your elbow. This could be a sign that the ligament was torn. After examining your elbow, your provider may order an x-ray to see if there are any breaks (fractures) to the bones in your elbow. You may also have an MRI of the elbow,

A sling to keep your arm and elbow from movingA cast or splint if you have severe sprainSurgery to repair torn ligaments

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Your health care provider will likely instruct you to follow RICE to help reduce pain and swelling:

Rest your elbow. Avoid lifting anything with your arm and elbow. Don’t move the elbow unless you’re instructed to do so. Ice your elbow for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, 3 to 4 times a day. Wrap the ice in cloth. Do not place ice directly on the skin. Cold from the ice can damage your skin. Compress the area by wrapping it with an elastic bandage or compression wrap. Elevate your elbow by raising it above the level of your heart. You can prop it up with pillows.

You can take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) to reduce pain and swelling. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) helps with pain, but not swelling. You can buy these pain medicines at the store.

Talk with your provider before using these medicines if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, or have had stomach ulcers or internal bleeding in the past.Do not take more than the amount recommended on the bottle or by your provider.

You may need to wear a sling, splint, or cast for about 2 to 3 weeks while your elbow heals. If your provider recommends it, you should move your elbow to avoid stiffness. Depending on how badly it is sprained, you may need to work with a physical therapist who will show you stretching and strengthening exercises.

You have increased swelling or painSelf-care does not seem to helpYou have instability in your elbow and you feel that it is slipping out of place

Elbow injury – aftercare; Sprained elbow – aftercare; Elbow pain – sprain Stanley D. The elbow. In: Hochberg MC, Gravallese EM, Silman AJ, Smolen JS, Weinblatt ME, Weisman MH, eds. Rheumatology,7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 83. Wolf JM. Elbow tendinopathies and bursitis.

In: Miller MD, Thompson SR, eds. DeLee, Drez, and Miller’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: Principles and Practice,5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 61. Updated by: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA.

Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Can a sprain get worse?

Causes of sprains and strains – Soft tissue structures are made from bundles of fibres. Muscles and tendons contain specialised cells that monitor the degree of contraction and stretch. With general use, muscles and tendons use soft contractions to resist overstretching.

  • However, sudden twists or jolts can apply greater force than the tissue can tolerate, resulting in a tear or rupture of the fibres.
  • Bleeding from broken blood vessels causes the swelling.
  • Injuries to soft tissues such as ligaments and tendons can come on suddenly or may get worse gradually.
  • A sudden injury is often related to a specific incident and is termed an acute soft tissue injury.

This means it has occurred within the previous 72 hours. An injury that has been present for at least three months is often referred to as a chronic soft tissue injury. These are commonly caused by inappropriate loading (often termed ‘overuse’) where the tissue capacity becomes unable to cope with the physical demands placed on it.

How do you tell if it’s a sprain or fracture?

Sprain? Fracture? How to Tell the Difference Between Injuries How To Treat A Sprained Forearm It’s always a risky proposition to try and self-diagnose, to say the least. While we all may feel like we’re Dr. Google sometimes, it’s always best practice to see a medical professional if you’re suffering with the symptoms of an injury or illness. Let’s focus on injuries in particular because it can be difficult for many people to properly gauge what it is they’re experiencing and what they should do about it.

The natural impulse is to see a doctor if you get hurt. It’s probably a good idea to do that. But, we’ve all had the experience of getting hurt, going to the doctor, and being told that it’s just a sprain and it’ll heal on its own eventually. This can feel a little frustrating because you want “something to be done.” That shouldn’t dissuade you from seeing your doctor in the future, because it can be difficult to judge pain yourself.

Some of us deal with pain better than others. However, if you plan to just “tough it out” you could be toughing it out on a fracture that won’t heal properly without your doctor’s help. So, if you find yourself feeling or and you’re not sure if you’re looking at a sprain, fracture, or just some stiffness, you need to speak to a medical professional to be sure.

But, all this terminology can get confusing and it’s important to know the difference between all of these conditions so you can best prepare yourself for recovery. Again, only a doctor’s evaluation and imaging testing can accurately diagnose your injury. Here is what you should know about the difference between the most common kinds of injuries we all experience at one time or another.

Is it a sprain? To give a shorthand answer of whether your injury is a sprain or fracture, sprains occur in ligaments and are usually joint related. A fracture deals with damage done to the bone. That’s a neat definition, certainly, but how does that help in the moment when you’re dealing with swelling and pain? To give an example, there is often confusion and uncertainty around ankle injuries because fractures and sprains,

  • Imaging testing can give you the diagnosis you need.
  • The two different injuries can present in similar ways like swelling or finding it difficult to walk.
  • When dealing with sprains, the only real solution is time.
  • Sprains need to be allowed to heal naturally.
  • Rest, ice, and elevation are what you need.
  • Rarely, a sprain is so severe that it requires surgery.

If a sprain is that severe, you’ll feel it and you probably heard an audible pop during the injury. Fracture care Fractures are a bit more complicated because they do regard bones. These can’t be seen by the naked eye, unless it’s a full break where the bone is protruding or visibly askew.

  1. To stay with the ankle example, there are some notable differences between a broken ankle and a sprained one.
  2. Yes, sprains can bring swelling and you can have difficulty walking.
  3. Broken ankles bring the same, but you may visually be able to tell the difference.
  4. Your foot positioning could look off.
  5. Additionally, sprains don’t generally keep you from putting weight on the foot.

Sprains are aggravated by motion, yes, but generally the ability to support your body weight isn’t affected. If you can’t stand, it could be a fracture. Also, the pain that comes from breaks tend to be more constant. Sprains respond to treatment like ice or elevation whereas breaks don’t have that kind of relief.

Fractures vary depending on the body part. Some slight fractures have to heal on their own, but generally a bone has to be reset and placed in a cast so it can heal. Is there a difference between fractures and broken bones? A fracture by definition is a broken bone, so no,, However, many people use the word “fracture” to mean a hairline fracture in a bone.

While some may say fracture to mean a slight crack while a break is a full separation of the bone, these are just common usage rather than official definition. It is true, however, that the healing of a hairline fracture could look quite different from recovery from a fully broken bone.

Conclusion If you’ve suffered an injury and your pain isn’t going away or is intense and acute, you need to see a medical professional to get it evaluated. An examination and imaging testing can give you a proper diagnosis so you can begin the process of recovering. Injuries can be tricky and become even trickier as you get older.

That’s why it’s so important to get the very best care and to get it early. to schedule an appointment. Dr. Nickson and the team at Next Step Orthopedics are here to get you started on the road to recovery. ACL injuries can cause knee pain and stability, but even though they seem serious, they don’t always need surgery.

  • Here’s when surgery is typically recommended for an ACL injury.
  • Even simple activities, like combing your hair or sleeping, can be painful if you have rotator cuff pain.
  • Fortunately, there are plenty of treatment options to relieve that pain.
  • Here’s how we can help.
  • Bursitis is a relatively common cause of shoulder pain and tends to become more common with age.

The good news: There are things you can do to reduce your risks of bursitis, including the simple steps listed here. Cartilage damage is a common cause of joint problems, like pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Arthroscopy uses minimally invasive techniques to help treat damaged cartilage, so joints feel better.

  1. Here’s how it could help you.
  2. Ankle injuries are common, but not all injuries are the same.
  3. Sprains and fractures affect the ankle joint differently, which means they need to be treated differently.
  4. Here’s how we treat both of these common ankle ailments.
  5. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common sports injuries, but they can also happen to nonathletes.
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Here’s how to tell when your ACL needs surgery or whether conservative treatment is better. : Sprain? Fracture? How to Tell the Difference Between Injuries

Do you need a sling for a sprained arm?

What to Expect – You may notice:

Elbow pain and swelling Bruising, redness, or warmth around your elbowPain when you move your elbowElbow is unstable with particular movement

Tell your provider if you heard a “pop” when you injured your elbow. This could be a sign that the ligament was torn. After examining your elbow, your provider may order an x-ray to see if there are any breaks (fractures) to the bones in your elbow. You may also have an MRI of the elbow,

A sling to keep your arm and elbow from movingA cast or splint if you have severe sprainSurgery to repair torn ligaments

Can you still move your forearm if it fractured?

Your forearm is made up of two bones: the radius and ulna. In most cases of adult forearm fractures, both bones are broken. Fractures of the forearm can occur near the wrist at the farthest (distal) end of the bone, in the middle of the forearm, or near the elbow at the top (proximal) end of the bone.

  • This article focuses on fractures that occur in the middle segments of the radius and ulna.
  • Fractures that involve the wrist or the elbow are discussed in separate articles.
  • If you hold your arms at your side with your palms facing up, the ulna is the bone closest to your body and the radius is closest to your thumb.

The ulna is larger at the elbow — it forms the point of your elbow — and the radius is larger at the wrist. The primary motion of the forearm is rotation: the ability to turn our palms up or down. The ulna stays still while the radius rotates around it.

  • This is the motion used to turn a screwdriver or twist in a light bulb.
  • Forearm fractures can affect your ability to rotate your arm, as well as bend and straighten the wrist and elbow.
  • Forearm bones can break in several ways.
  • The bone can crack just slightly, or it can break into many pieces.
  • The broken pieces of bone may line up straight or may be far out of place.

In some cases, the bone will break in such a way that bone fragments stick out through the skin or a wound penetrates down to the broken bone. This is called an open fracture and requires immediate medical attention because of the risk for infection. Because of the strong force required to break the radius or ulna in the middle of the bone, it is more common for adults to break both bones during a forearm injury.

When only one bone in the forearm is broken, it is typically the ulna — usually as a result of a direct blow to the outside of your arm, such as when you have it raised in self defense. Alternatively, one bone may break while ligaments at either the elbow or wrist are torn, resulting in a joint dislocation at the elbow or wrist in addition to the fracture.

These injuries, which are less common than breaking both bones, have specific names: Monteggia and Galleazi injuries. The most common causes of forearm fractures include:

Direct blow Fall on an outstretched arm, often during sports or from a height Automobile/motorcycle accidents

A broken forearm usually causes immediate pain. Because both bones are usually involved, forearm fractures often cause an obvious deformity — your forearm may appear bent and shorter than your other arm. You will most likely need to support your injured arm with your other hand. Additional symptoms include:

Swelling Bruising (not as common as in other broken bones) Inability to rotate arm Numbness or weakness in the fingers or wrist (rare)

Most people with forearm fractures will need to seek immediate treatment.

How long do forearm injuries last?

How long does it take to recover from a broken arm or wrist? – In most cases it takes around 6 to 8 weeks to recover from a broken arm or wrist. It can take longer if your arm or wrist was severely damaged. You will need to wear your plaster cast until the broken bone heals.

Will a sprained arm heal on its own?

When will a sprain heal on its own? – A mild sprain should heal without medical attention. However, you will need to take care of your injury at home. Apply the RICE method:

Rest Ice Compression Elevation

You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers. It’s critical to allow your injury enough time to recover before heading back out to the field. Returning to your regular activities too quickly will most likely lead to another, possibly more severe, injury.

Is it possible to strain a forearm?

Forearm Muscle Strain – Western New York Urology Associates, LLC Pronounced: FOR-arm MUSS-el str-AY-n by A forearm muscle strain is a partial or complete tear of the small fibers of the forearm muscles. Forearm muscles allow you to extend and flex your wrist and fingers. Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. A forearm muscle strain is caused by:

Stretching the forearm muscles beyond the amount of tension they can withstandSuddenly putting stress on the forearm muscles when they are not ready for stressOverusing the forearm muscles over timeReceiving a direct blow to the forearm muscles

Factors that may increase the chance of a forearm muscle strain include:

Participation in sports that overuse the forearmPrevious strain or injury to the areaMuscle fatigueWeak or tired musclesRepetitive movements that strain the forearm muscles

Symptoms may include:

Problems flexing the fingers or wristPain while stretching the fingers or wristArea feels tender and soreMuscle spasmsSwelling

You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Most forearm muscle strains can be diagnosed with a physical exam. Images of the area may be needed if severe damage is suspected. Images may be taken with or, Muscle strains are graded according to their severity:

Grade 1—Some stretching with micro tearing of muscle fibers.Grade 2—Partial tearing of muscle fibers.Grade 3—Complete tearing of muscle fibers. This may also be called a rupture or avulsion.

Recovery time ranges depend on the grade of your injury. Treatment options may include one or more of the following: The muscle will need time to heal. RICE is often the main part of treatment:

Rest—Activities will need to be restricted at first. Normal activities will be reintroduced gradually. Ice—Ice therapy may help relieve swelling. Heat or cold may be advised throughout recovery if they provide benefits. Compression—Used for a limited time, compression bandages can provide gentle pressure to help move fluids out of the area. Elevation—Keeping the area elevated can help fluids drain out or prevent fluids from building up.

Prescription or over-the-counter medications may be advised to reduce pain. To help reduce the chance of a forearm muscle strain:

Use an or workstation. Keep muscles strong. This will help them absorb the energy of sudden, stressful activities.Avoid overuse or repetitive stress.Learn the proper technique for sports.If you feel pain during exercise, stop exercising that muscle group.

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  • Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2010;(6):CD007402.
  • Last reviewed February 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician.
  • It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.