Possible Torn Rotator Cuff, Am I Done Caking Before I Really

Lounge By schustc Updated 5 Jan 2012 , 4:55am by Annabakescakes

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schustc Posted 6 Sep 2011 , 2:17am
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started? icon_sad.gif I need to see a specialist to diagnose but it may be a torn rotator cuff. Kneading or rolling fondant seems impossible for the near future. anyone else have this issue and is there hope?? icon_cry.gificon_cry.gificon_cry.gificon_cry.gif

8 replies
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LadyDi469 Posted 6 Sep 2011 , 2:46am
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My right rotator was torn..had surgery and they filed off bone spurs, shortened my clavicle.....and forgot to sew the tear!! Still have the right arm tear and also have several on the left rotator but not having surgery again.

I have found that I can still roll out fondant as long as my table is below me, where I can use my body weight to help the roll instead of just the arms. I still get sore afterwards but not like before in working on just the counter tops to roll out the fondant. As long as I can keep my arms down and not extended I've still been able to decorate.

Good luck

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Lucygoosey Posted 11 Sep 2011 , 4:54pm
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Hi
I suffered a fall in March of '09 which resulted in a torn shoulder tendon that was disconnecting from the bone and needed rotator cuff surgery. It was very painful and the physical therapy that I had to go through for almost a year was excrutiating.

Having said this I can also encourage you in that I have recovered about 90% mobility and was able to once again pick up the rolling pin and start working with my beloved fondant. I was even able to make my daughter's wedding cake last year. Some days if I work too hard my shoulder starts to ache so I have to know my limitations and rest.

Best of luck and may you have a speedy recovery.

Lucy

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cakelady2266 Posted 13 Sep 2011 , 4:24pm
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I have had bone spurs, torn rotator cuff and acromioplasy on both my shoulders. The first surgery was my right shoulder in 2004 and was back doing cakes in one month. I had my left shoulder done in 2008 and was doing cakes a week later. I was back to 95% use 10 days after both surgeries, thanks to physical therapy. I have had really good success with both surgeries, I'm still doing cakes all the time. My shoulders do tire after a while, but I'm not as young as I once was.

I don't normally cover cakes in fondant but I use it a LOT for accents. The best $30 I ever spent was on a pasta roller. If someone would make one wider than 6 inches I'd be all over it. I also use a putty knife and a foam roller to smooth buttercream now, that keeps me from having my arm jacked up in the air all the time like I'm trying to fly.

Good luck with the surgery and I hope you make a full recovery and are back doing cakes soon.

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knlcox Posted 13 Sep 2011 , 4:36pm
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There is hope if you want there to be hope! Only you know how badly you want to recover and will do it if you keep up the physical therapy. I've never had a torn rotator cuff but I did crush my spinal cord and I did break my spine. I was told I'd never be able to walk or move my arms again normally. I wanted it so badly that I worked on it for 2 years. After 3 spinal surgeries here I am standing and walking normally today. I have 98% mobility and movement in my legs and arms! I was standing and moving 30 days after my accident, but full recovery was a bit slow for my spine.

Pasta rollers are awesome and I agree with cakelady2266 about them being made wider. I can't afford a professional roller nor do I have the space for that either.

Best of luck to you! Don't give up!!

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schustc Posted 14 Sep 2011 , 1:02am
post #6 of 9

I just want to thank all of you!! It does not appear to be a torn rotator cuff, but tendonitis.. I feel a bit ashamed - all of you here had it so much worse, and managed just fine!

I am in physical therapy for both shoulders now, something about compression and pinched nerves which lead to the tendonitis I guess. Will have therapy for that and plantar Faciitis.. LOL I am 42 and feel like my body is rebelling with all these aches and pains. I'm horribly out of shape so I think I can FIX that part of things.

I appreciate all of your input - if for some reason this turns out to be anything worse, I know that there is always hope - you are all so inspiring and encouraging.

thank you so much again!

Tina

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docofthedead Posted 4 Jan 2012 , 10:17am
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I can relate to the OP, and the feeling of being done before you ever got started. I have been a hobby baker for about 18 years. I love it because I enjoyed the creative outlet it gave me. In 2005 I was diagnosed with MS. Over the course of the past several years I have had to almost completely put aside my decorating because I will get tremors so bad in my hands it made it impossible to do any kind of detail work. My other issue is fatigue..I take breaks continually. I have been doing really well the past 18mos or so, and have been able to pull out my supplies and get back into the swing of things.
I guess my point is this...if you truely love what you do, you will always find a way. Sometimes it just takes some adapting, finding new ways to do an old skill. Don't get discouraged. If you get to a point where you can't do cakes for a while, do cupcakes instead! Keep doing what you love!

I also can attest to the feeling somebody else posted about feeling that your body is letting you down. I am only 41...so I have a long road ahead. I just have to remind myself some days that it doesnt matter how long the road is, to enjoy the journey!

ps,,sorry if this is the wrong forum, but thanks for the vent!

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CWR41 Posted 4 Jan 2012 , 11:36pm
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I'm happy to see this thread resurfaced from early September.

I didn't read it then, but have since torn my rotator cuff at the end of September and didn't know what the injury was called for over a month. I can't do the simple exercise movements even without the weights... don't know how helpful the exercises can be either because I've heard that surgery is the only thing to fix this type of injury (not looking forward to that!). I'm right handed, so I'm thankful that it's my left shoulder with limited mobility. A tough cookie--I can stand a lot of pain, so I'll ignore it until my next doctor appointment (unless there's another solution without surgery).

Thanks for reviving the thread.

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Annabakescakes Posted 5 Jan 2012 , 4:55am
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I just turned 32 and have excruciating pain when I lift my shoulder in the "applying icing to the side of a cake with an angled spatula position". Is that what people are talking about? It hurts so bad that during the first cake my face gets red, the second my ears start ringing and during the 3 tiers or so I get a sweaty lip. Are there shots or pills that help? Surgery ain't happening right now!

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