Forearm Fractures
Restore arm movement, rebuild strength, and regain confidence after a forearm fracture with personalised physiotherapy rehabilitation.
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What is Forearm Fractures?
Forearm Fractures occur when one or both of the forearm bones, the radius and ulna, are broken. These injuries can result from falls, direct impacts, sports injuries, or road accidents and may cause pain, swelling, bruising, deformity, and difficulty using the arm. Treatment may involve a cast, splint, brace, or surgery depending on the location and severity of the fracture. At Pure Physio, physiotherapy focuses on safely restoring movement, strength, grip, and functional use of the arm following appropriate medical treatment.
The forearm is made up of two long bones:
Radius: Located on the thumb side of the forearm.
Ulna: Located on the little-finger side of the forearm.
A forearm fracture can affect the radius, ulna, or both bones. The injury may occur near the wrist, through the middle of the forearm, or near the elbow. Fractures can range from a small crack to a complete break.
Common types include:
Radius Fracture: A break affecting the radius.
Ulna Fracture: A break affecting the ulna.
Both-Bone Forearm Fracture: A fracture involving both the radius and ulna.
Proximal Forearm Fracture: A break near the elbow.
Shaft Fracture: A break through the middle portion of the bone.
Distal Forearm Fracture: A break near the wrist.
Non-Displaced Fracture: The broken bone remains in a relatively normal position.
Displaced Fracture: The bone fragments have moved out of their normal alignment.
Because the radius and ulna work together to allow the forearm to rotate, proper bone alignment is important for movements such as turning the palm upward and downward. Some fractures can heal with immobilisation, while unstable or significantly displaced fractures may require surgery.
What Are The Symptoms Of Forearm Fractures?
Common Symptoms
Sudden Pain: Pain usually begins immediately after the injury.
Swelling: The forearm may become swollen.
Bruising: Discolouration can develop around the injured area.
Tenderness: The fracture site is often painful when touched.
Difficulty Moving the Arm: Movement of the elbow, forearm, wrist, or hand may be painful or restricted.
Pain with Forearm Rotation: Turning the palm up or down may cause pain.
Reduced Strength: The arm may feel weak due to pain and injury.
Other Possible Symptoms
Deformity: A displaced fracture may cause the forearm to appear bent or abnormally shaped.
Grinding Sensation: An unusual feeling may occur around the fracture site.
Difficulty Using the Hand: Pain and reduced forearm function can affect gripping and everyday tasks.
Numbness or Tingling: Nerve irritation or injury may cause altered sensation in the hand or fingers.
Reduced Sensation: Some areas of the hand may feel numb.
Cold or Pale Fingers: Circulation problems can occur with serious injuries and require urgent medical assessment.
Increasing Tightness or Severe Pain: Severe swelling and pressure within the forearm can be a sign of a serious complication requiring urgent medical attention.
An open wound, visible bone, severe deformity, uncontrolled bleeding, increasing severe pain, or cold, pale, or numb fingers requires urgent emergency medical care.
What Are The Causes Of Forearm Fractures?
Falls: Falling onto an outstretched hand is a common cause of forearm fractures.
Direct Impact: A strong blow to the forearm can break one or both bones.
Sports Injuries: Falls, collisions, and high-impact contact can cause fractures.
Road Traffic Accidents: High-energy trauma may result in complex or multiple fractures.
Workplace Accidents: Falls, crushing injuries, or direct trauma can injure the forearm.
Defensive Injuries: Raising the arm to protect against an impact can sometimes result in an ulna fracture.
Bone Weakness: Conditions such as osteoporosis can increase fracture risk.
Repetitive Stress: Repeated loading may contribute to stress fractures in some individuals.
Diagnosis Of Forearm Fractures
Medical History: A healthcare professional will ask how the injury occurred and about your symptoms.
Physical Examination: The forearm, elbow, wrist, and hand are assessed for pain, swelling, deformity, tenderness, and movement.
Neurovascular Assessment: Sensation, circulation, pulses, and nerve function are checked.
X-Rays: X-rays are commonly used to identify the location and pattern of the fracture.
CT Scan: CT imaging may provide more detail for complex fractures or injuries involving a joint.
MRI Scan: MRI may be used to assess associated ligament, tendon, or other soft-tissue injuries.
Follow-Up Imaging: Repeat X-rays may be required to monitor alignment and bone healing.
Proper diagnosis helps determine whether the fracture can be managed with immobilisation or requires surgical fixation.
Treatment Of Forearm Fractures
Treatment depends on which bone is fractured, the location of the break, alignment, stability, and associated injuries.
Immobilisation: A cast, splint, brace, or sling may protect the forearm while the bone heals.
Pain Management: Appropriate medication may be recommended by a healthcare professional.
Fracture Reduction: Displaced bone fragments may need to be carefully realigned.
Non-Surgical Management: Stable fractures may heal with appropriate immobilisation and monitoring.
Surgical Fixation: Unstable, significantly displaced, or complex fractures may require plates, screws, rods, or other fixation devices.
Physiotherapy: Rehabilitation helps restore movement, strength, grip, and functional use once medically appropriate.
Gradual Return to Activity: Lifting, pushing, pulling, and sports activities are gradually reintroduced according to bone healing and medical guidance.
Management of Associated Injuries: Injuries to the elbow, wrist, ligaments, nerves, or surrounding tissues may require additional treatment.
Following medical guidance about movement and loading is important, as starting heavy exercises too early can interfere with healing.
What Is The Physiotherapy Treatment Of Forearm Fractures
Detailed Assessment: At Pure Physio, we assess pain, swelling, fracture-healing status, elbow and wrist movement, forearm rotation, muscle strength, grip, and functional limitations.
Individualised Rehabilitation Programme: Your treatment is based on the specific bone involved, fracture location, severity, treatment received, stage of healing, and personal goals.
Pain and Swelling Management: Appropriate physiotherapy strategies may help support comfort and manage swelling.
Protected Early Movement: Once medically cleared, gentle movement exercises help maintain mobility while protecting the healing bone.
Forearm Rotation Exercises: Controlled exercises gradually restore supination (turning the palm upward) and pronation (turning the palm downward).
Elbow Range of Motion Exercises: Rehabilitation helps restore comfortable bending and straightening of the elbow.
Wrist Mobility Exercises: Exercises address stiffness and movement restrictions in the wrist.
Hand and Finger Exercises: Movement activities help maintain dexterity and hand function.
Gentle Stretching: Carefully progressed stretching can improve flexibility when sufficient healing has occurred.
Joint Mobility Rehabilitation: Treatment helps address stiffness caused by injury or immobilisation.
Strengthening Exercises: Progressive exercises rebuild strength in the forearm and upper limb.
Grip Strength Training: Activities help restore the ability to grip, hold, and carry objects.
Wrist Strengthening: Exercises help improve control and strength around the wrist.
Elbow and Shoulder Strengthening: Rehabilitation may include surrounding joints to restore overall upper-limb function.
Functional Rehabilitation: Therapy focuses on everyday activities such as dressing, eating, writing, typing, lifting, carrying, opening containers, and using tools.
Work-Specific Rehabilitation: Exercises can be adapted to prepare you for the physical demands of your occupation.
Sport-Specific Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation can progress toward the movements and loading required for your sport.
Post-Operative Rehabilitation: If surgery is required, your programme follows the surgeon’s recommendations and appropriate bone-healing timelines.
Home Exercise Programme: A personalised programme supports continued recovery between physiotherapy sessions.
Progress Monitoring: Your treatment is regularly reviewed and progressed according to bone healing, pain, movement, strength, grip, and functional improvement.
Why Choose Pure Physio?
Comprehensive Forearm Assessment: We assess healing status, pain, movement, forearm rotation, strength, grip, and functional ability.
Personalised Rehabilitation Plans: Your programme is tailored to the specific fracture, treatment method, stage of healing, and individual goals.
Safe Exercise Progression: Rehabilitation is progressed carefully according to medical clearance and bone-healing requirements.
Restore Forearm Rotation: We help improve pronation and supination for comfortable everyday arm use.
Improve Elbow and Wrist Mobility: Treatment addresses stiffness in the joints surrounding the injury.
Rebuild Arm and Grip Strength: Progressive exercises help restore strength lost during injury and immobilisation.
Functional Recovery Focus: Therapy targets practical activities needed at home, work, and in everyday life.
Post-Immobilisation Rehabilitation: We support recovery after a cast, splint, brace, or sling.
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation: Structured physiotherapy is provided following fracture fixation when required.
Work and Sport Rehabilitation: Treatment can be adapted to your occupation, hobbies, and sporting goals.
Home Exercise Guidance: You receive a personalised programme to support consistent progress outside your appointments.
Regular Progress Monitoring: Your rehabilitation is reviewed and adjusted as healing and function improve.
Integrated Care Approach: We work alongside orthopaedic specialists, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals when required.
Focused on Long-Term Arm Function: Our goal is to reduce pain and stiffness, restore comfortable movement, rebuild strength and grip, and help you safely return to the activities that matter most.
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