A TFCC repair takes 4 to 6 months to return to heavy work and sport, with forearm rotation blocked for about 6 weeks. A TFCC debridement is much quicker, usually 4 to 6 weeks.
Intersection syndrome is inflamed tendons 4 to 8 cm above the wrist on the back of the forearm, often with a squeak you can feel. Most settle in 2 to 6 weeks with a splint and a change of load.
Most radial head fractures heal in about 6 to 8 weeks without surgery, with the sling off within days. What decides treatment is whether the fragment blocks rotation; what decides your outcome is how early you move it.
Radial tunnel syndrome is a squeezed nerve below the outer elbow that causes deep forearm aching without numbness, tender four finger-widths below the bony point. Most cases settle in 3 to 6 months with load changes, a night splint and nerve gliding.
Pronator teres syndrome is the median nerve squeezed in the upper forearm instead of the wrist: same tingling fingers, but the palm goes numb too and it rarely wakes you. Most cases settle in 6 to 12 weeks with load change, a night splint and nerve glides.
If you suddenly can’t make a round OK sign, or can’t lift your fingers at the knuckles, and nothing is numb, think AIN or PIN palsy. Get assessed within days; many recover over 6 to 18 months, and your job meanwhile is keeping every joint moving.
Adult forearm fractures are usually plated and take 3 to 4 months to heal, with most people back to heavy work and sport at 4 to 6 months. Rotation is the movement to chase, and a single-bone fracture means both the elbow and wrist need checking.
Arm pump that hits at the same point every session and clears within minutes of stopping is a compartment pattern; soreness the next day is overload. Most gripping forearm pain settles in 6 to 12 weeks with a lighter grip, varied positions and graded training.