The forearm is made up of two bones: the radius and the ulna. These bones run from your elbow to your wrist and allow your arm to rotate, bend, and lift. A fracture (break) in one or both bones can happen from a fall, a sports injury, or a direct hit. Treatment depends on the type of break, how far the bones have shifted, and whether the patient is an adult or a child.

In adults, forearm fractures often need surgery because the bones play a big role in wrist and elbow movement. If the bones are out of place, they must be lined up exactly to avoid long-term stiffness or loss of strength. Surgery usually involves fixing the bones with plates and screws or, sometimes, a rod inside the bone. After surgery, the arm is placed in a splint or cast for a few weeks, followed by physical therapy to restore motion and grip strength. Recovery usually takes several months. If the fracture is simple and well-aligned, a cast alone may be used, but this is less common for adults.

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In children, treatment is often simpler because their bones heal faster and can remodel over time. If the break is mild and the bones are still in good position, a cast or splint for 3–6 weeks is usually enough. If the bones are out of place, the doctor may gently realign them while the child is under sedation or anaesthesia, then apply a cast. In more severe cases, small pins or flexible rods may be used to hold the bones until they heal. These are usually removed after a few months.

Complications can include stiffness, loss of rotation, or slower healing in adults. In children, the main concern is damage to the growth plate, which can affect future bone growth, but this is uncommon with proper care. Nerve or blood vessel injury can occur but is rare and often improves over time.

Most people make a full recovery after a forearm fracture. The key is to protect the arm while it heals, follow the doctor’s instructions, and work on gentle movement exercises to get strength and flexibility back once the bone is strong enough.