I can’t extend my arm fully what should I do?

Hi, I’ve not been able to straighten my arm fully and However much I try it, it will just not straighten and it’s stopping me from doing things I want to do it is giving me these shooting pains up my arm which hurt quite bad enough that I can cope with it though. I have tried many excersises from therapists on the internet but none seem to work I’ve tried putting a support bandage on but it makes the pain worse.  Should I see a doctor or is there anything else I could try?

It sounds like this has been a problem for a while, so it's not likely to get better on its own.  I would definitely get to a doctor, be prepared with a full history: when it started, any activities/events that may have preceded onset, started suddenly or gradually, what you have done and for how long, etc.  All of this will be important in determining a cause and resolution.  Good luck!

Hmm.  You didn't say how this all started or how long it has been going on.  When you have tried things that haven't worked for you perhaps it is time to seek real medical treatment or perhaps you are going the right things but not for the length of time it would take to see improvement.  I always want to get better ASAP but that is unrealistic.  I start with the RICE plan.  Rest, Ice, Compression (but not too tight), and Elevation.  After a short while I switch from ice to heat (but not too hot).  Good luck.  It is a bummer not to be able to do things that you like.  

About 3-4 years ago I joined a gymnastic class and my arm was hurting so bad I had to quit and the coaches were telling me to lock my arms but I couldn’t because my arm wouldn’t straighten and that’s when I realised that my arm won’t extend fully and I’ve left it ages and the pain isn’t as bad as it was except from when I go and do excersises in the gym. Don’t know how long it has been like that only started feeling pain when I started a gymnastics class

It sounds like you have lived with this for a number of years without going to a doctor.  What are the things that you want to be able to do but can not besides going to a gymnastics class?  Also when you say a "gymnastics" class what do you mean?  I remember when I was (much) younger going to gymnastics classes and they were tough.  Now I could never do the flips and work on the uneven parallel bars like I did.  Or do you mean various gym classes?  If so you could find aerobic classes that don't require using straight arms.  You can get a great workout in the advanced step class that I attend.  However, for a knowledgeable answer for you arm pain you should seek medical advise.  Good luck.     

What I want to do is to do weights and start yoga classes but they seem to be hard and by gymnastics I meant flips and the uneven bars