Avoid in sports or strenuous physical activity. Don’t try to play through the pain. Small amounts of activity can still be done by patients with forearm tendinitis. Complete abstinence from using the affected area can cause muscle stiffness. Try low impact activities like swimming and gentle stretches to keep your muscles active without putting too much stress or use on them. [5] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Forearm tendonitis is often indirectly caused by poor posture and weak shoulders, which place increased stress or pressure on the elbow when you repeatedly perform the same movements such as when typing, writing, golfing, or playing tennis. [6] X Expert Source Joel Giffin, PT, DPT, CHTPhysical Therapist Expert Interview. 9 September 2020.
To apply an ice massage, freeze a plastic foam cup of water. Hold the cup while applying the ice directly to the skin of your forearm. You can use frozen bag of vegetables such as peas.
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is a very effective pain reliever and anti-inflammatory medication. You can usually take two pills at a time, and repeat every four to six hours. Naproxen sodium (Aleve) is another anti-inflammatory medication. You may take this every 12 hours as needed for pain and swelling. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is another effective pain reliever that can be used to ease the discomfort associated with forearm tendinitis.
Sit in a chair and rest your elbow on a flat table or surface. Straighten your arm out fully. Your wrist should extend beyond the edge of the table. Push the palm of your hand down with your opposite hand. You should feel a stretch across the top of your forearm and bent hand. Hold the stretch for 15 seconds and repeat it two to three times on each arm. You can also do this stretch while standing, or while doing a light jog on a treadmill or in place. [14] X Research source
Sit in a chair with your elbow resting on a table or flat surface. Straighten the arm out fully with your palm facing up. Your wrist should extend beyond the edge of the table. Push your palm downward with your opposite hand to stretch the forearm flexors. Hold the stretch for 15 seconds and repeat it two to three times on each arm. You can also do this stretch while standing, or while doing a light jog on a treadmill or in place. [15] X Research source
Sit in a chair with your forearm resting on a flat table or surface. Your wrist should extend past the edge of the table. Extend your forearm fully with your palm facing downwards. Grasping a weight in your hand, extend your wrist upward. Hold this position for two seconds and then release slowly. Repeat the exercise 30 to 50 times, twice a day. However, if you feel any pain while doing these exercises, lessen the amount of times you do them in a day.
Sit in a chair with your forearm resting on a flat table or surface. Your wrist should extend beyond the edge of the table. Extend your arm fully with your palm facing up. Grasping the weight in your hand, flex your wrist upwards. Hold this position for two seconds, then slowly release. Repeat the exercise 30 to 50 times, twice a day. However, if you feel any pain while doing these exercises, lessen the amount of times you do them in a day.
Hold the weight in your hand with the thumb facing up. Move your wrist up and down, much like hammering a nail. All the motion should occur at your wrist joint, not at the elbow or shoulder joint. Repeat the exercise 30 to 50 times, twice a day. Lessen the number of reps if you feel any pain.
Hold a . 5 lb or 1 lb weight in your hand with your thumb pointing up. Turn your wrist inward as far as possible and hold for two seconds. Turn your wrist outward as far as possible and hold for two seconds. Repeat up to 50 repetitions. Lessen the number of reps if you feel any pain.
Provide a detailed list of your symptoms and the duration of your symptoms. For example: “constant pain in the right forearm for two hours” or “swelling of the left forearm at the end of the day”. Tell your physician about any treatments you have tried or used at home. Describe your daily activities to your physician, as Tendinitis can be caused or exacerbated by excessive activity.
These treatments are not recommended for chronic tendinitis lasting three months or longer. Repeated injections can weaken your tendons and increase your risk of rupturing the tendon. Therefore, it is recommended that corticosteroids be avoided. [20] X Research source Coombes BK, Bisset L, Vicenzino B. Efficacy and safety of corticosteroid injections and other injections for management of tendinopathy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Lancet 2010; 376:1751.
Physical therapy sessions may be several times a week for several months. Rest, stretching, and strengthening are the mainstays for this treatment.
Focused aspiration of scar tissue (FAST) may be necessary to treat chronic tendinitis. [22] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source This procedure is a minimally invasive surgery that uses ultrasound guidance and small instruments, and is performed under local anesthesia. The goal of this surgery is to remove tendon scar tissue without damaging the surrounding tissues. Most people return to normal activity within one to two months following FAST treatment.
