Forearm tendinitis is a painful condition caused by inflammation of a tendon, i.e., a sinew that connects muscle to bone. This is often the result of overuse, although it can also be caused by an acute injury. Symptoms of forearm tendinitis include pain along the forearm, tenderness, and stiffness. In most cases, conservative treatments such as avoiding any activity that aggravates the condition and icing the area will resolve the problem. Other treatments, such as cortisone injections, are sometimes used if conservative treatments fail.
In most cases, tendinitis in the forearm is the result of overuse which causes the tendon to become inflamed. A direct impact or tear to a forearm muscle may cause inflammation and result in tendinitis, although this is less common. Weightlifters commonly suffer from the condition, as do those who have a job that involves a lot of manual work. Tendinitis is most likely to occur when a person changes or increases his or her activities too quickly and without proper preparation. Some people are also more prone to overuse injuries than others for genetic reasons.
The most common symptom of forearm tendinitis is pain along the length of the forearm. This area may also be tender to touch. A common sign of tendinitis is that the pain gets worse during activity, then subsides during rest periods, only to reoccur later. Other symptoms include a feeling of stiffness in the forearm and pain when the arm is moved against resistance. A person suffering from tendinitis may find that the condition is worse at night and in the morning.
Appropriate treatment for tendinitis is essential if a person is to make a full and fast recovery. The most important part of treatment is to rest from the activity which is causing the pain. Tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendon, so any activity that causes pain will increase inflammation and recovery time. The quicker that the condition is diagnosed, the more likely that conservative treatment will be effective.
Other treatments include icing the injured area, applying compression to the forearm, and keeping the arm elevated. The time taken for a full recovery will vary from person to person depending on the severity of the condition; it’s important for the patient to avoid aggravating activities until the injury has fully healed, however. In some cases, a conservative approach may not be enough to reduce inflammation, and other treatments such as cortisone injections may be considered. Surgery is rarely required for forearm tendinitis.