Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment of Forearm Nerve Injuries
A forearm nerve injury occurs when one of the major nerves in the forearm — the median nerve, radial nerve, or ulnar nerve — is damaged. These nerves control movement and sensation in the hand, wrist, and forearm. Injury can result from trauma, fractures, deep cuts, compression, or repetitive stress.
Symptoms depend on which nerve is affected. Median nerve injuries may cause numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers, along with weakness in grip strength. Radial nerve injuries often lead to difficulty extending the wrist and fingers, sometimes called “wrist drop.” Ulnar nerve injuries may cause numbness and weakness in the ring and little fingers, sometimes leading to a claw-like hand position.
Diagnosis is made with a physical exam, medical history, and sometimes nerve conduction studies or imaging. Treatment may include rest, splinting, medications, and physical therapy to restore strength and flexibility. In more severe cases, surgical repair or decompression of the nerve may be required.
Recovery varies depending on the severity of the injury and which nerve is involved. Many people regain function with proper care, though severe nerve injuries may take months to heal fully. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent permanent loss of function.
