Forearm pain when turning your palm up

Palm-up rotation, called supination, uses muscles that run between the forearm and elbow. It can hurt after carrying, turning a handle, using a screwdriver, or a fall onto the hand. Pain around the inner elbow may overlap with golfer's elbow, while outer elbow symptoms may overlap with tennis elbow. Wrist inflammation or an injury to the forearm bones and supporting tissues can also make rotation painful.

Notice whether the movement is limited by pain, stiffness, catching, or weakness. Numbness, tingling, or a burning line into the hand raises the possibility of nerve irritation and should be mentioned during an assessment.

Avoid forceful twisting and temporarily lighten tasks such as opening tight lids or carrying with the palm turned up. Keep the elbow and wrist in comfortable positions and practise small, easy rotations only if they do not increase pain. Do not repeatedly push into the end of the movement. Cold through a cloth can be useful after a recent flare, while gradual activity is preferable to complete stillness. See [Forearm Pain](/symptoms/forearm-pain/), [Golfer's Elbow](/conditions/golfers-elbow/), and [Tennis Elbow](/conditions/tennis-elbow/) for related guidance.

Seek urgent medical care after a fall or twist if the forearm is deformed, swelling increases quickly, or you cannot rotate the arm or move the fingers. Prompt assessment is needed for a cold or discoloured hand, severe worsening pain, new weakness, or persistent numbness. Book a review if rotation remains restricted, symptoms recur, or everyday tasks continue to be painful.

Is the pain coming from the elbow, wrist, bone, tendon, or nerve? Do I need to limit rotation or lifting? Would physiotherapy help restore movement? Which warning signs should prompt earlier review?