Many forms of forearm pain are due to tendonitis or inflammation of the tendon at the elbow that radiates down through the arm. The primary causes of tendon damage and irritation are known as tennis and golfer’s elbow. Symptom of both include sharp pain that is centered near the bony knob on the inside of the elbow and is likely to be felt when the arm is bent inward or the wrist is flexed your wrist toward the body. Many people feel the pain sensation in their forearm when they brush their teeth due to the way their arm is bent and the angle the pressure is applied while brushing.

Treating Tendonitis in the Elbow

In most cases, tendonitis pain worsens gradually, but a typical case of tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow takes 6 to 12 months to heal. Depending on the severity and circumstances, some physicians may want to perform an x-ray or MRI to rule out other possible causes and confirm the diagnosis. The primary treatments for tennis elbow and golfers elbow are rest, which includes completely stopping the activity that is aggravating the tendon for a period of time and rehabilitation and in some cases, corticosteroid shots can be administered directly to the site of the injury. Surgery is an option for severe cases, but it is not generally recommended for these forms of tendonitis, since surgery has not been proven to be effective in the treatment of golfer‘s and tennis elbow.

Burning and Pain from Carpal Tunnel

Carpal tunnel syndrome is another potential cause of forearm pain. Production line workers and those performing excessive repetitive movements of the arms, wrists or hands are highly susceptible to developing this ailment. The carpel tunnel in the wrist can become aggravated, causing fingers to become numb at night. Often, the person may wake up with numbness and tingling in their hand, and the discomfort will elevate to a burning pain and numbness which may run up the center of the person's forearm, and sometimes to the shoulder. As carpal tunnel syndrome becomes more severe, symptoms are noticed during the day. Carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated with surgery and recovery is possible in as little as a few months.

Though there are some causal factors, there is no direct cause of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. However, people with autoimmune deficiencies like rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes or thyroid disease may be more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome. These conditions affect the nerves directly, making them more vulnerable to compression and hence often leading to pain in the forearms.