What are the possible causes of forearm swelling near the wrist?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Swelling in the forearm near the wrist is typically caused by one of four issues: injury (such as sprains or fractures), infection (like cellulitis), inflammation (from tendonitis or arthritis), or circulation problems (including blood clots or lymphedema). Identifying the underlying cause is key, since treatment and urgency vary significantly depending on the source.

Because wrist and forearm swelling can range from a minor strain to a serious vascular issue, guessing isn't safe—and waiting for an appointment can delay important care. Take a free, instant, online symptom check now to get personalized insight into what may be causing your swelling and clear guidance on your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Possible causes of forearm swelling near the wrist include:

Injury or trauma: Sprains, strains, fractures, or repetitive use can cause localized swelling near the wrist. Infections: Skin infections or abscesses near the wrist can cause swelling, redness, and warmth. Tendonitis or tenosynovitis: Inflammation of tendons around the wrist may lead to swelling and discomfort. Ganglion cysts: Fluid-filled lumps near the wrist can cause swelling or a visible bump. Venous insufficiency or blood clots: Poor circulation or a clot can cause swelling near the wrist and forearm. Arthritis: Inflammatory joint conditions can cause swelling around the wrist area. Lymphedema: Blockage of lymphatic drainage can cause swelling, sometimes affecting the wrist area.

If swelling is sudden, painful, worsening, or accompanied by redness, warmth, or fever, seek medical care. To better understand your specific symptoms and get personalized guidance, try our free AI symptom checker.

(References)

Dalton DM, Munigangaiah S, Subramaniam T, & McCabe JP. (2014). Acute bilateral spontaneous forearm compartment syndrome. Hand surgery : an international journal devoted to hand and upper limb surgery and related research : journal of the Asia-Pacific Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand, 24641749.
Grundberg AB, & Reagan DS. (1985). Pathologic anatomy of the forearm: intersection syndrome. The Journal of hand surgery, 3980951.
Sinha A, Goel L, Ranjan R, Gaba S, & Kumar A. (2017). Atraumatic Acute Compartment Syndrome of Forearm .... Journal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR, 28764255.

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