Pronounced: FOR-arm MUSS-el str-AY-n
A muscle strain is an injury (partial tear) that damages the internal structure of the muscle. The tearing may be so small that it can only be seen with a microscope. Or, the tearing may be severe enough to cause internal bleeding and cause some muscle fibers to become longer. If the damaged parts of the muscle actually pull away from each other, it is called a muscle rupture.
Forearm muscle strain results from physical stress to the muscles that allow you to extend and flex your arms and hands. It is common among athletes and people whose jobs require them to make small hand movements.
A forearm muscle strain is caused by tension or stress applied to the muscle that it cannot withstand. There are several ways that this can happen:
These factors increase your chance of developing forearm muscle strain:
Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors.
If you have any of these symptoms do not assume it is due to forearm muscle strain. These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. Tell your doctor if you have any of these:
Symptoms can range from mild to severe.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. He will also do a physical exam. The injured area will be examined for:
Tests may include:
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:
Your doctor may also recommend that you do:
To help reduce your chance of getting forearm muscle strain, take the following steps:
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
http://www.aaos.org/
National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
http://www.niams.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
http://www.caot.ca/
Physical Therapy Canada
http://www.physicaltherapy.ca/
References:
Dawson, WJ. Intrinsic muscle strain in the instrumentalist. Med Prol Perform Artists . 2005;20:66-69.
Get a grip. EBSCO Publishing Consumer Health Complete website. http://www.ebscohost.com/thisMarket.php?marketID=14 . Accessed November 19, 2008.
Leach R. Muscle strain. EBSCO Publishing Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=81 . Updated January 2008. Accessed December 2, 2008.
Smoots E. Carpal tunnel Syndrome. EBSCO Publishing Nursing Reference Center website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=16topicID=860 . Updated April 2007. Accessed November 19, 2008.
Stedman’s Medical Dictionary . 28th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005; 664
What is Occupational Therapy? American Occupational Therapy Association website. Available at: http://www.aota.org/Consumers/WhatisOT.aspx . Accessed November 18, 2008.
Last reviewed September 2009 by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
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.
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