Can't full straighten left elbow

[ericinVA]

Hi all,

I recently discovered that I can't fill straighten out my left arm; there is a slight bend at the elbow and no matter what I do, I can't straighten the arm completely anymore. There's some light pain in the elbow joint itself; not severe but it's there. I've been a serious weight lifter for many years...

Any ideas as to what might be wrong? Anyone else experience anything similar?

(My right arm is normal and I can fully straighten it out.)

[Heidi]

Have you ever injured the elbow?
Is there a hard or sudden end point when you try to straighten the elbow (like a blocked feeling), or is it a softer end feel - do you feel muscle stretching in the upper arm or front of the elbow?
Is the pain only when you try to straighten the arm or is it more often?
How short of full extension are you?