If the medial tricep head is torn/ruptured than surgery would be required. Any spasm would suggest nerve impulses undergoing undo stress/tension. A friend of mind has had a torn tricep head for at least 20 years. Forms a knot near the elbow. Never had the money for an operation so he just trained around it. Could not do a one arm (left arm) tricep extension if his life depended on it. But very strong in pushing movements. Does 450 lockouts from a set pin position in the PR.
If pop's wants to try some better triceps exercises he might consider the Pullover and Press. One of the better true compound exercises ever used. Dips, holding elbows to the sides throughout the movement and keeping the body somewhat straight up position are very effective. Leaning forward affects the anterior delts and pec's too much to give the triceps the blunt of the work. Last would be close grip BP's. Prefer a hammer grip, so he might want to experiment with DB's, rather than the usual BB BP. Some guy's find too much strain (wrist, elbows, etc) when holding too close a grip with a BB. Good Luck.