Unknown elbow pain

I'm going through my fifth day of this, with no signs of improvement.  My problem is this: I cannot extend my arm at the elbow without shooting pain extending both proximally and distally.  My range of motion ends at about 120 degrees, but unless I extend to the point where it hurts I remain pain free.  However, on extension the pain is localized to my posterior elbow, around the olecrannon/fossa, with a dull ache extending up the side of the humerus medially and down my forearm posteriorly after the attempted extension.  There is no swelling at the site of the pain and the tennis elbow brace has done nothing to stem or prevent the pain on extension.  It is also possible to produce an aching pain around the elbow with pain radiating down my forearm anteriorly (slightly more to the medial side) by attempting to lift something with my arm pronated and my elbow and wrist flexed using a lateral rotation motion (resistance does not have to be significant, as it has occured attempting to operate a zipper).  I have been wearing a sling for four days now to keep myself from attempting to straighten my arm.  Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am without health insurance and cannot afford to see a doctor unless I am certain it is something that: A) they can actually help (as opposed to seeing me ten minutes, giving me pain killers, and charging me $200), and B) it won't just go away in a week or two.

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

You have to recollect if you had any local injury at the elbow in the recent past. If you had then you would need an X-ray scan to rule out any bony injuries.

Injuries around the elbow may result from an indirect or direct violence. Indirect violence is more common such as fall onto the out-stretched arm.

Hyperextension injury involves the supracondylar fracture of the humerus.

Olecranon fracture or intercondylar fractures result from direct violence.

Take pain killers, wear sling and do not exert at the affected elbow joint.

If pain continues you have to see an orthopedician.

Take care!