Most dairy farmers, who milk in a tie-stall barn, and those who retired from the industry, have problems with their knees. It’s called milker’s knee. After years of squatting down to attach milkers to the cows, or throwing around hay bales, knees are often the first joints that suffer.
Milker’s knee happens when the cartilage between the bones starts to wear away. After years of ups and downs in the barn, a farmer will begin to notice pain in his knees.
And it’s not only the up and down movements that are hard on the knees, it’s all the work associated with farming such as lugging and lifting things. It all takes a big toll on the knees.
I consider myself very lucky that I can still do farm work and have been working in the bush this winter cutting firewood. I love being in the bush on winter days when there isn’t much snow on the ground. Cutting down trees and limbing the branches with a chainsaw is tiring work but keeps me in shape. This spring I will split the blocks with a wood splitter. The knees ache sometimes at the end of the day. I don’t take medication for arthritis but when they are really sore I soak them in a warm water bath. Sitting too long in one position is also hard on the knees.
There are many good publications dealing with this disabling condition put out by the Arthritis Foundation. One publication I looked at covers a variety of arthritis-related topics, including common types of arthritis, managing the disease, unproven remedies and sources of assistance. The guide also gives advice on methods of modifying farm tasks to provide added protection to joints. In addition, emphasis is placed on proper diagnosis, exercise, medication, stress management and working with a team of professionals to cope with arthritis.
Arthritis actually refers to more than 100 different ailments known as rheumatic diseases. The most common types are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis and tendonitis.
Osteoarthritis causes the breakdown of the smooth, gliding surface of a joint, known as cartilage. When cartilage is destroyed, raw bone ends may thicken and form boney overgrowth called spurs.
For farmers, frequent lifting of heavy objects, repeated use of vibrating machinery or constant bending to perform certain tasks can add to the stress on joints and set the stage for osteoarthritis, particularly of weight-bearing joints, the publication says.
Rheumatoid arthritis. An inflammatory condition that primarily affects the thin membrane (synovium) that lines and lubricates a joint, involves the entire body. It can affect men and women of all ages, but is more common among females in their 20s and 30s.
A farmer may develop bursitis or tendonitis when certain muscles or tendons are stressed, such as by too much lifting, carrying or throwing, or by constantly gripping and manipulating the controls on farm equipment, according to information in the publication.
Both bursitis and tendonitis are painful conditions that usually last only a short time and do not cause permanent damage.
There is no cure for arthritis, but the guide lists several ways to reduce its effect, including: Don’t ignore joint pain – see a doctor and get a specific diagnosis. The doctor will suggest a treatment plan, and a commitment to following that plan is essential to reducing the effects of arthritis.
Be active. Regular exercise protects joints by strengthening the muscles around them, lessens the pain and allows for an increased range of movement, and reduces fatigue. Exercise also can help reduce excess weight, and less weight equals less stress on joints, especially the knees, hips, back and feet.
There! Now to get up and stretch the legs.
