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Cake Decorating and Tennis/Golf Elbow

post #1 of 8
9/2/12 at 7:22am
Thread Starter 
Hi Everyone,

For the last 2 months my tennis elbow has gotten quite sore..It got really bad after a busy weekend at the end of June.It doesn't seem to be getting better as I am right handed and ...you guessed it....that is the hand I hurt...It throbs at night and I rub ointement on it etc but almost everything I do around the house requires me to use my right arm...

so....Is there any advice or remedies anyone can suggest..If I go to the Dr. she will just suggest a Xray and say rest it icon_rolleyes.gificon_rolleyes.gif and maybe want to give me cortisone shots... thumbsdown.gifthumbsdown.gif

What have you all tried that seems to help... icon_wink.gif

Thanks thumbs_up.gif
Busy Bakin Kakes For Kids!!!

Mom to Mitchell 11 yrs and Delaney 9 yrs
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Busy Bakin Kakes For Kids!!!

Mom to Mitchell 11 yrs and Delaney 9 yrs
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post #2 of 8
9/2/12 at 6:30pm
I'm so sorry to hear about your arm. Several years ago I developed carpal tunnel in both wrists and tenosynovitis in all my fingers, so I know the struggle we go through in trying to figure out how to continue working with our hands. For you, cortisone shots have given short term relief for some people. But honestly, there's no magic here for a disability such as yours. It's an overuse syndrome. This site has clear, expert information. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001485/
website www.BakingFix.com
blog www.BakingFix.com/thefix
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/MimiFix
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website www.BakingFix.com
blog www.BakingFix.com/thefix
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/MimiFix
Reply
post #3 of 8
9/2/12 at 6:59pm
My mom has bad joint pain and she drinks I think a tablespoon of fish oil everyday. It really has helped a lot for her! I have tendonitis in my wrist, but it hasn't gotten bad enough for me to take fish oil (because that sounds awful to me). But, it does help, so if nothing else works I would suggest giving it a try.
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post #4 of 8
9/3/12 at 7:22am
Thread Starter 
Thanks Ladies...I'm gonna check out that link..And if it comes to it..fish oil too....
Busy Bakin Kakes For Kids!!!

Mom to Mitchell 11 yrs and Delaney 9 yrs
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Busy Bakin Kakes For Kids!!!

Mom to Mitchell 11 yrs and Delaney 9 yrs
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post #5 of 8
9/3/12 at 2:21pm
If it continues, you probably need additional help. Of course you need to rest it, which is probably impossible, I'm guessing. Cortisone injections may help. Will probably help. Is there a reason you don't want them? They have saved many people from additional pain and treatment.

Are you able to take NSAIDs? Have you tried these? If you don't have hypertension or kidney disease, you should consider these. You might be amazed at the almost immediate relief you feel.

A pain management clinic can also get you a script for a topical medication that is comprised of several different ingredients (these are now made specially for your own needs). It might contain a topical NSAID, muscle relaxant, anesthetic, etc. These are often very helpful as well.
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post #6 of 8
9/3/12 at 4:14pm
Although I have sympathy for your unwillingness to go to a doctor, that is what you should do ASAP. Depending on your insurance program, you may need to see a General Practitioner first, then be referred to an Orthopedist, then be referred to an Occupational Therapist. (BTW, I worked with chronic pain patients for about 25 years. I've heard and seen this type of situation a LOT.)

Both the Orthopedist and OT will have some excellent suggestions. (Ignore whatever the Primary Care doctor tells you, they simply don't have the experience to deal with Cake Decorating orthopedic problems. Demand to see an Orthopedist or OT immediately. Tell them this links directly to your ability to earn a living.)

This type of pain/injury will only worsen if you don't give it time to rest. If you are self-employed and your only income is from cakes, then you may be eligible for some sort of disability.

If you are not able to have any income at all during a 3-4 week period, then you better start making some budget decisions right away.

I know it's a huge bummer, but that's the way it is. Cake Decorating is actually a high-risk occupation for various syndromes. OSHA has published some ergonomic guidelines that may help you in the long term.
Scroll down and click on "Bakery"
http://www.osha.gov/ergonomics/guidelines/retailgrocery/retailgrocery.html
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post #7 of 8
9/4/12 at 8:13am
I have developed golf elbow in both of my elbows and have a job in a bakery as well as baking from home. I purchased a support strap for both of my elbows that i wear when I am working and have been taking some anit-inflammatory meds. I have stopped taking orders from home so I am not working double time, to give my elbows some down time, and at work I ask for help from my co-workers whenever I have some heavy lifting to do as that seems to be the action that most affects my elbows at this time. I have noticed an improvement in the pain level and discomfort that I was previously experiencing. Now i just have to get on top of the carpel tunnel in my left hand/wrist, which is my dominant hand, I had my Dr. send in a referral to a specialist for it and just heard back that my appointment isn't until February 2013.....gotta love the wait times with our health care system!!!
Hope you find something that helps you and you get some relief!!
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post #8 of 8
9/4/12 at 9:19am
I'm not sure what the rules are in Canada, but if you can show that your condition is preventing you from working, you may be able to collect disability insurance so you can afford to put your business on hold and rest your arm.
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My experimental blog: The Bakery Business Perspective
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