Forearm Pain: Common Causes, Home Care and Warning Signs

Dr. Kundlas

Most forearm pain comes from overuse. Gripping, lifting, typing, gardening or a weekend of yard work can strain the muscles and tendons between your elbow and wrist, and the pain usually settles within one to two weeks with rest, ice and gentle stretching. Left arm pain that comes with chest pressure, shortness of breath, a cold sweat or nausea is a different story, because it can be a heart attack. In that case, call 911 right away.

If forearm pain keeps coming back or makes daily tasks hard, you can see one of our doctors at our Sebring office, often the same day.

What is in your forearm

The forearm has two bones, the radius on the thumb side and the ulna on the little finger side. Around them run the muscles that bend and straighten your wrist and fingers, the tendons that attach those muscles at the elbow, and three main nerves that carry feeling to your hand. Pain can start in any of these, and where it hurts gives a good clue about the cause.

Common causes of forearm pain

Muscle strain

This is the most common cause I see. A strain happens when you ask the forearm muscles to do more than they are used to: carrying heavy grocery bags, pulling weeds, painting a ceiling, or starting a new exercise class. The arm feels sore, tight or crampy, and it hurts more when you grip or lift. A simple strain usually improves within a week or two.

Tendinitis: tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow

Tendons can get irritated where they attach at the elbow. Despite the names, most people who get these conditions have never played tennis or golf.

• Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) causes pain on the outer side of the elbow that spreads into the back of the forearm. It hurts to grip a jar, shake hands or lift a coffee cup.
• Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) causes pain on the inner side of the elbow and the underside of the forearm, often worse when you bend your wrist or squeeze.

Tendon pain tends to heal more slowly than a muscle strain. It often takes several weeks or longer.

Wrist tendon problems

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis causes pain on the thumb side of the wrist that can run up into the forearm. It often follows lifting a grandchild, wringing out cloths, or a lot of phone use.

Pinched or irritated nerves

Nerve pain feels different from muscle pain. It burns, tingles, zaps, or comes with numbness.

• Carpal tunnel syndrome squeezes the median nerve at the wrist. You may feel numbness or tingling in the thumb, index and middle fingers, pain that travels up the forearm, and symptoms that wake you at night.
• Cubital tunnel syndrome irritates the ulnar nerve at the elbow (your “funny bone”). It causes tingling in the ring and little fingers and is often worse when the elbow stays bent, like holding a phone or sleeping with your arms curled.
• A pinched nerve in the neck can send pain, tingling or weakness down the whole arm, including the forearm. Neck stiffness or pain that changes when you turn your head is a clue.

Arthritis

Arthritis in the elbow or wrist can cause aching, stiffness and swelling that spreads into the forearm. It is more common after age 50 and after old injuries.

A broken bone

A fall onto an outstretched hand is the classic way to break the wrist end of the radius. This is common in adults over 50, especially women with thin bones (osteoporosis). Warning signs are pain right over the bone, swelling, bruising, a bent or bumpy look, or not being able to turn your palm up and down. If you are over 50 and break a wrist in a simple fall, ask your doctor whether you should be checked for thin bones.

Less common but serious causes

• Heart attack or angina. Heart pain can spread to the left arm, and sometimes the right arm, the jaw, the neck or the back. It often comes with chest pressure, but women and people with diabetes may have milder or unusual symptoms such as tiredness, shortness of breath or nausea.
• Blood clot in the arm. A deep vein clot in the arm is less common than one in the leg. It causes swelling of the whole arm, a heavy feeling, and sometimes a reddish or bluish color. The risk is higher if you have had an IV line, a PICC line, a pacemaker, cancer or recent surgery.
• Skin infection (cellulitis). A red, warm, swollen area that spreads, often with fever, needs care the same day.

Left forearm pain vs right forearm pain

Right forearm pain in a right handed person is usually overuse, because that arm does most of the work. The same is true of the left arm in left handed people.

Left forearm pain is usually also a strain, a tendon problem or a nerve issue. The reason it gets extra attention is that heart pain more often spreads to the left arm. Arm pain from the heart usually is not set off by moving or pressing on the arm. It often comes on with exertion or stress and comes with other symptoms, such as chest discomfort, shortness of breath or sweating. If you are not sure, treat it as an emergency.

Inner vs outer forearm pain

• Inner (palm side) forearm pain usually comes from the muscles that bend your wrist and fingers, golfer’s elbow, or carpal tunnel.
• Outer (back of the arm) forearm pain usually comes from the muscles that lift the wrist and from tennis elbow.
• Pain along the little finger side, with tingling in the ring and little fingers, points toward the ulnar nerve at the elbow.

Home care for forearm pain

For a mild strain or tendon flare, these steps help most people:

• Rest the arm from the activity that set it off for a few days. Keep using it for light tasks so it does not get stiff.
• Ice for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, with a cloth between the ice and your skin, a few times a day for the first two to three days.
• After the first few days, warmth can loosen stiff muscles.
• Over the counter pain relief can help. For adults over 50, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is usually the first choice; follow the dosing on the label. Avoid ibuprofen or naproxen, or ask your doctor first, if you have kidney disease, heart disease, stomach ulcers, or take a blood thinner. A pain relief gel rubbed on the sore area is another option to ask your pharmacist about.
• A forearm strap (counterforce brace) worn just below the elbow can ease tennis elbow pain. A wrist splint worn at night can ease carpal tunnel symptoms.
• Once the sharp pain eases, start gentle wrist stretches. Hold your arm out, palm down, and use the other hand to bend the wrist down gently for 20 to 30 seconds. Repeat with the palm up. Stop if a stretch causes sharp pain.
• Look at how you work. Take short breaks from typing or tools, keep your wrists straight, and lift with your palm facing up when you can.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment if:

• The pain has not improved after one to two weeks of home care
• Numbness or tingling does not go away, or your grip feels weak and you drop things
• The pain wakes you at night or is getting worse
• There is swelling, redness or warmth, especially with fever
• You fell and the arm looks bent, swells quickly, or you cannot turn your palm up and down (get it checked the same day)
• You notice a new lump in the forearm

Frequently asked questions

Why does my forearm hurt?

The most common reasons are a strained muscle, irritated tendons near the elbow, or a pinched nerve at the wrist or elbow. Think back over the last few days. A new task, a lot of lifting or gripping, or long hours on a keyboard or phone is often the cause.

Can left forearm pain be a heart problem?

It can, although it is not the most likely cause. Heart pain in the arm usually comes with chest discomfort, shortness of breath, sweating or nausea, and it is not made worse by pressing on the arm. If you have those symptoms, call 911.

Why does my forearm hurt when I grip or lift things?

Gripping and lifting load the tendons that attach at the elbow. Pain on the outer side points toward tennis elbow, and pain on the inner side points toward golfer’s elbow. Resting from heavy gripping, icing and a forearm strap usually help.

How long does forearm pain take to heal?

A mild strain often feels better in one to two weeks. Tendon problems and broken bones take longer, often several weeks or more, and your doctor can tell you what to expect for your injury.

Should I use ice or heat on a sore forearm?

Use ice for the first two to three days after a strain or flare, 15 to 20 minutes at a time. After that, warmth often feels better for stiffness. Many people switch between the two.

Can forearm pain come from my neck?

Yes. A pinched nerve in the neck can cause pain, tingling or weakness that runs down the arm into the forearm and hand. If neck movement changes the arm symptoms, mention that to your doctor.

Getting checked in Sebring or Lake Wales

If your forearm pain is not settling, a primary care visit is a good place to start. We can examine the arm, check the nerves, order an X-ray if needed, and set up a plan that may include a splint or physical therapy.

Shield Medical Group has two offices:

• Sebring: 4597 Casablanca Cir, Sebring FL 33870. Phone (863) 236-9550. Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Lake Wales: 23607 US Highway 27 N, Lake Wales FL 33859. Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

You can book an appointment, and walk-ins are welcome for new and established patients. We accept many Medicare Advantage plans, so call to ask about yours.

Medical disclaimer

This article is for general education only and is not medical advice. It does not replace an exam by your own doctor. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911.