Farming is a tough business. It’s not just the weather, commodity prices, and fertilizer, feed or seed and equipment costs. As if the stress of all that wasn’t enough, the physical activities required in farming take a toll on the human body.
“You’re riding long periods of time in the tractor,” said 66-year-old Scotland County, Missouri farmer Lee Parish. “You’re lifting things you shouldn’t be lifting and twisting back and forth. You bump your head on things and jam your neck. And then there is getting older.”
Eventually the years of riding, lifting, twisting, bumps and jams – and Father Time - took their toll on Lee.
“My left hand and fingers would get numb. My arms would hurt and I was having trouble controlling my steps. My legs and feet were achy and weak. I kept falling down.”
Lee went to see an orthopedic surgeon near his home in Arbela. The doctor referred him to the Blessing Spine Center and board-certified neurosurgeon John Olson, MD, PhD, and nurse practitioner Alexis Schantz.
At the Spine Center, in addition to scar tissue from injuries sustained 20 years ago - Lee learned he had osteoarthritis causing pressure on his spinal cord. Spinal cord compression can occur anywhere from the neck down to the lower back. Symptoms include numbness, pain, and weakness.
His treatment began with physical therapy and injections to help manage pain.
When the maximum benefit from that treatment combination was reached, Lee underwent two surgeries between the summer of 2022 and February 2023; one on his neck and one on his back. The procedures relieved pressure on his spine and associated nerves, reduced the risk for future damage to the spine, and removed some of the scar tissue from the decades-old injuries suffered.
“That made things quite a bit better,” Lee said.
Lee will never be in the physical condition he was the first time he climbed into a tractor. Osteoarthritis cannot be cured. Lee understands that and is pleased with the relief he has experienced.
“I can do most of the things I want to do.”
Lee credits his improved quality of life to the Blessing Spine Center team.
“Alexis was very good about listening to what I was telling her. Dr. Olson is a very personable guy. He explained to me what was going on and what I needed to do. I’d be more than happy to refer anyone to them if they had symptoms like I had.”
For any farmers, or those who love them, reading this story; Alexis offers the following suggestion to help reduce the risk of injury.
“Farmers can try to reduce their risk of spinal injuries by using good ergonomics,” she said. “Repetitive lifting above the head, and bending and twisting can accelerate degenerative changes in the spine, although we understand this is hard to avoid in this profession.”
For more information on ergonomics for farm workers, click on this link https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2001-111/default.html
The Blessing Spine Center team stands ready to evaluate anyone in pain and provide specific, individualized recommendations. Go to blessinghealth.org/spine for more information.