Above elbow pain after cleans - lack of flexibility in arm

[dyinglight]

I broke my left arm when I was 7-8 y.o. I think the bone must have healed with a rotation. I can't touch my shoulders with all the fingers on that arm. I've noticed the impossibility of properly cleaning the bar with my shoulders, but that's mostly due to the left arm. Today, with 155 lbs on the bar, I was able to sort of rack the barbell on my shoulders, but now I have intense in my left arm exactly where I my bone broke almost 30 years ago.

What should I do? Continue and see if it improves, or substitute the exercise to something else? I kind of like doing the cleans. But if I can't rack the bar safely without injuring myself, what's the point?

Here's a video showing the lack of mobility as I try to touch my shoulders with my thumb and index fingers:

Here's a picture showing where the bone broke and where I'm experiencing severe pain right now: 2019-07-05 21_41_34-2019-07-05 21-38-10.mkv - VLC media player.jpg

[Mark Rippetoe]

Get another X-ray. I'd want to know if there was a problem, if I were you.

[dyinglight]

Thanks. I'll try. Living in a socialist paradise with universal healthcare, it's illegal for me to request specific medical procedures, or pay for a private doctor. I'll have to con a doctor into thinking my arm has to be amputated before they will authorize a scan. That's Canada for you.

Otherwise, could I substitute the exercise for a powersnatch, or another deadlift round?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Did they place any hardware on the fracture?

[dyinglight]

No hardware at all. There was talk back then of sending me to a hospital where they had special equipment and could lengthen the bone to set it right. I did have fluid accumulation there a few years later, which they drained and then it's been fine these last 20 or so years.

I think maybe forcing the rack on shoulders stretched/injured the muscles/tendons? Right now it still hurts a little, but not much. 1 out of 10 when I don't move it, 4-5 out of 10 when I fully extend or contract my arm. Pain in the bicep and tricep area about 1.5 inches above the elbow. I haven't done cleans since July 5th.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Then stop the cleans. Try snatches, and if that doesn't work just do 80% deadlifts.

[dyinglight]

Then stop the cleans. Try snatches, and if that doesn't work just do 80% deadlifts.

Will do, Sir. Thank you.