Elbow cracking friction on lockout

[Excili]

Greetings again, this time around I'm having some elbow issues:

a first note: Issue presents only on the left elbow

It was about 4 weeks ago, that I returned from my regular gym session, and that particular day involved a lot of pushing movement
(more specificly it includes standing military press and some bench press lockouts for some tricep focus), so naturally the triceps and elbows were stressed .
I don't recall doing anything particularly different than the previous times, but when i woke up the next day, my elbow would make multiple (painless mostly but if I keep doing it for a 10-20 seconds I get some minor heat feel in the elbow) cracking noises when i tried to lock out my left elbow, or when I tried flexing my arm when the elbow was anywhere close to lockout.
(NOT the usual "popping" style of crackings, more like parts in the elbow were rubbing against each other).

In addition, when my elbow would pass a specific spot right before the lockout (both in opening and closing movement) i'd get some medium pain,
which I felt was not connected directly with the crackings.

Anyway I dropped reduced the weight for my pressing movements for a week, which didn't have much effect, so I dropped lifting overall for another week for easter,
which caused the spot-specific pain to go away, but I was still left with the crackings. I also went back to heavy pushing a week ago, which didn't change anything for better or worse.
The crackings seem to aggravate the hours after pushing workouts, and fade a bit after 1-2 days (but they're still there at all times).

Now today was my 2nd heavy session after the incident. When I reached my heavy sets of military press, I was able to do the set without problems,
but the very second I put the bar back on the rack and relaxed my tricep, I got some pain right where the tricep attaches to the outside part of the elbow.
That release-pain went away after a few sets but I'm not sure that means it was nothing or that I just didn't feel it because the tricep was pumped up.

Lastly I should probably mention my bad habbit of locking out the elbows on pressing movements, which however I've stopped doing these past 2 weeks.

A final note:
the only thing different on my left elbow compared to right one is that I broke my left wrist about 8 years ago when i fell off my skate with my hand fully extended (so my left elbow probably recieved a decent amount of force while in lockout),
but I didn't have any issues so far these years with my elbow.

A quick sum-up of the current condition of the left elbow:
cracking when locking out elbow or flexing arm close to lockout, mild momentary pain on the outside of the elbow when releasing tension on the tricep when pushing heavy weights. Gets worse after pushing workouts.

I'm not sure if the description is helpful, but I think that's probably all I could describe in written speech about the issue. I'm also not sure if it's something to worry about and do something immediately, or something I have to observe over a few more weeks, which is why I'm making this thread to ask for your thoughts on it.

Regards,
Steffan

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[physiobob]

Military press is an abnormal movement for the forearm. in fact ALL barbell activities for the arms are abnormal movement patterns for the way the elbow and forearm bones and muscles move. The first thing you need to do is stop doing them and work with dumbbells that permit normal pronation and supination of the forearm during elbon flexion and extension.

[Excili]

Greetings again, I've stopped all barbell activity since 2 months ago and kept going with dumbells. Unfortunately that didn't help, and the problem didn't go away. In fact last Tuesday morning I woke up with a half-numb pinky and half ring-finger, which has since gone almost completely numb (without the pinching sensation, just almost complete lack of touch). Had an electromyograph which, according to the doctor, showed ulnar neuritis (as far as I remember he mentioned an increased latency when testing the elbow area), which he addressed to having my elbow touch the desk while i'm on the computer. I've modified my stance on the desk and added a padding for my forearm to sit on and have been doing some stretches, but as I said it actually is doing worse.

I'm having trouble keeping my elbow straight in my sleep which might be the reason it's not getting any better. I usually find myself with my hand wrapped under my pillow etc.
I'll be trying to keep it straight by putting it inside a pillow tonight and see how that works, but I'd be open to more/better advice that might help my rehab.
Is there any estimated rehab time considering my age of 22 and the fact the numbness has only been happening for almost a week (and overall combined with friction issues 3 months) so I know when I'm "out of schedule" on my rehab?

At the moment I feel that my ulnar nerve is really sensitive, my bottom palm goes completely numb and pinches if I rest my elbow on the desk for more than 3 seconds.
Oh, doctor also detected a mild valgus deformity on my elbows (not sure if that's the correct term - let's just say my arm is slightly tilted outside after the elbow), if that helps.
Also do you consider the elbow friction issues overall to be linked to the nerve issue?
I've watched a certain video where it explained how tight tissues around the elbow can even cause it to tilt as well as cause ulnar nerve issues.

Regards,
Steffan

ps: can we get that ad post below removed? :-)

[Excili]

A small update, my doctor suggested 2 weeks of medrol and celebrex as well as complete rest. Are the two first really necessary, and the best solution?

Also here is a copy of my electromyography. According to the doctor, my nerve is apparently "messed up". Is it really that bad? I would expect having just a numb pinky wouldn't mean such nerve damage.