Too Young to Retire, Dairy Farmer Discovers Second Chance with

Lesa, 47, a dairy farmer in Kentucky, spends her day on her feet. “I grew up on a farm and it was my dream to retire on our family farm.”

Being active is a daily part Lesa’s life, “I’m up at dawn and spend up to 12 to 16 hours on my feet, seven days a week tending to my livestock. When I get free time, I play tennis competitively in a USTA league.”

Over the years, Lesa noticed the pain in her knees from severe osteoarthritis was increasing. However, when she turned 43, the pain had gotten so bad, she thought she might have to retire from farming. “At first I just wore a brace whenever I’d play tennis with my husband, but eventually, I started using it to get by on the farm each day.”

Unfortunately, the brace was not enough. “I went from playing tennis, running my farm and being extremely active to being completely sedentary. I knew when I had to use a walker to just get around that it was time to do something.”

Ultimately, Lesa realized that she could no longer watch her life pass her by, so she and her orthopaedic surgeon decided it was time for total knee replacement. After consultation with her surgeon, Lesa received a Sigma® Fixed-Bearing Knee from DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.

Lesa worked hard at rehabilitation -- first at the hospital, then at physical therapy three times a week and finally at home. “All the effort was worth it. I tell people that you get out of it what you put into it.”

Today Lesa doesn’t think about retiring from farming. “Now I don't even think about the knee pain.” She has returned to competitive women’s and mixed tennis doubles.

As with any medical treatment, individual results may vary. Only an orthopaedic surgeon can determine whether an orthopaedic implant is an appropriate course of treatment. There are potential risks, and recovery takes time. The performance of the new joint depends on weight, activity level, age and other factors.
 

Last Updated: 05/27/2008