What are the symptoms of forearm instability?
The most common symptom is pain when carrying objects and pain when opening jars.
How do you treat forearm instability?
After our consultation and depending on the xrays, CT and MRI scans, there is often a ligament tear in the wrist. This is known as the triangular fibrocartilage complex or TFCC. I treat this using wrist arthroscopy (keyhole surgery).
What do I do to help with the pain?
I encourage you to keep the arm elevated, move the fingers and to use your hand. I recommend using simple analgesia and two to three tablets of Vitamin C per day.
What is the recovery time from surgery?
Most patients return to their daily activities within a few days. We recommend patients to keep the wounds dry for 12 days. I will refer you to a hand therapist who will make a custom made thermoplastic splint and commence gentle elbow and finger exercises immediately. You are allowed to practice forearm rotation exercises 4 weeks after surgery. You are allowed to move your wrist 8 weeks after surgery.