Woden farmer credits orthopedic surgeon for helping him get back to his daily work and golf game

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Mike Missman, 63, is a corn and soybean farmer in Woden, Iowa.

“It’s a physical job. My left knee was giving me problems for many years. I felt unsteady on slippery ground in winter weather, and was in a lot of discomfort doing ‘grain climbs’ (walking up and down the stairs of the grain elevators). In addition to my knee, I was having trouble with a couple of fingers on each of my hands. After a while there were things that I couldn’t do with my hands including working with some of my tools. My grip was not tight, which also affected my golf game,” said Missman.

Dupuytren contracture is the condition that was affecting Mike’s hands. It causes one or more fingers to bend toward the palm of the hand. This can complicate everyday activities such as placing your hands in your pockets, putting on gloves or shaking hands.

Missman ended up having three surgeries over the course of a year: two on both hands (in 2021 and 2022), and a knee replacement for the severearthritis in his left knee in December 2021. All three times his orthopedic surgeon was Dr. Michael Crane, with MercyOne North Iowa Orthopedics at Mason City Clinic.

“I had been seeing Dr. Crane for my knee for several years. When I started having knee pain, I’d go to Dr. Crane and get a cortisone shot to keep the pain at bay at least temporarily. But in August 2021, after Dr. Crane looked at my X-ray he said jokingly, ‘Congratulations, you are now bone on bone.’ So, in December of 2021 I had my left knee replaced.”

“I have developed a close professional relationship with Dr. Crane,” said Missman. “He is honest and right to the point. There is no fluff, and that is what I like.”

“A year later I feel fantastic. I can do anything I need to without awkwardness or pain. My hands are functional again. Now I don’t remember how I felt with my knee pain. I played golf all last summer. I don’t even think about it, and that’s the best part.”

Learn more about MercyOne orthopedics care and get back to living your best life.