{"id":9634,"date":"2023-08-14T17:21:32","date_gmt":"2023-08-15T00:21:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/?page_id=9634"},"modified":"2026-03-16T10:24:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T17:24:55","slug":"freedom","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/about-samaritan\/together\/freedom\/","title":{"rendered":"Building Freedom Together"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t

Jefferson Man Regains His Freedom to Adventure<\/h1>\n\t\t\t
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\u201cI could still hunt, but I\u2019d have to walk for 10 to 15 minutes, then sit down and rest my knees, I wasn\u2019t going to live that way.\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

~Jon McKibben<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Jefferson Man Regains His Freedom to Adventure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Jon McKibben felt he belonged outdoors for as long as he can remember. Hunting, fishing, hiking and working his wife\u2019s family homestead nestled in an oak grove in rural Jefferson, Oregon, are a way of life for the active 54-year-old helicopter mechanic. Even chronic knee pain couldn\u2019t keep him from doing everything he loved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite his best effort to minimize his pain and continue enjoying the things he loved with his beloved wife, Becky, Jon noticed himself slowing down. \u201cI was taking Aleve and icing my knees every night no matter what I did,\u201d Jon recalled. \u201cI wasn\u2019t ready to be laid up and not work, though.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the discomfort, Jon continued to balance his time between moving heavy equipment and climbing ladders maintaining Life Flight Network helicopters and raking leaves and fixing up their eighth-generation family farm home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then things changed.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cI was unloading a new air compressor at work one day and it started to tip over. I didn\u2019t want to lose a new piece of equipment, so I bent to catch it, and my knee immediately gave way,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While he cared for his knee by increasing his Aleve and icing routine, Jon quickly realized his knees were going to keep him from what he loved \u2014 scaling mountainsides and climbing down to rivers to drop a fishing line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI could still hunt, but I\u2019d have to walk for 10 to 15 minutes, then sit down and rest my knees,\u201d he recalled. \u201cI wasn\u2019t going to live that way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Motivated by the need to be outdoors, Jon sought out a solution. After researching local options for joint replacement, he opted for Samaritan Albany General Hospital<\/a> because of its exemplary quality rating. He made an appointment at Samaritan Medical Group Orthopedics<\/a> in Albany, and after an initial appointment, some X-rays and an MRI, he set his path to getting new knees.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cI just kept telling myself \u2014 \u2018get out and go\u2019 … I was determined to use my knees by summer and fall.\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

~Jon McKibben<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cI did everything I could to make sure I was putting in the work before surgery,\u201d said Jon. \u201cI exercised, went to the education class and lined up everything I\u2019d need for after surgery.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2017, Jon had his first knee replacement surgery with Stephen Newman, MD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI gave myself some time before going back for my second knee replacement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2019, Jon returned to Samaritan Albany General Hospital for surgery on his other knee. This time, he was greeted by Kelli Baum, DO<\/a>, because Dr. Newman had retired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAfter going through my first surgery, I knew this program had been refined over many years. The cooperation between Dr. Baum\u2019s office, the hospital and the physical therapy team just clicked, and it worked great. They were a great team to have on my side.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jon\u2019s surgery took place in the morning, and he was up walking the halls of the nurses\u2019 station by lunchtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t want to hold still,\u201d he recalled.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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After returning home that same evening, Jon continued his recovery from the comfort of his own home and Becky\u2019s loving care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI just kept telling myself \u2014 \u2018get out and go,\u2019\u201d he remembered. \u201cI wanted to be back to work in six weeks, and I was determined to really use my knees by summer and fall.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s exactly what Jon did. Within six weeks, he returned to work, lifting, climbing and bending with ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecky and I used to dance occasionally when we were younger, but I just couldn\u2019t do it anymore with my knees.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this past June, at his niece\u2019s backyard wedding, Jon and Becky hit the dance floor again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe danced out there with our nieces and nephews. We had so much fun. Everyone had a great time,\u201d he said with a smile.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cI\u2019ve got my life back … if just one person decides to commit to joint replacement from my story, then this was well worth it.\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

~Jon McKibben<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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The second long-awaited test approached in the fall with the opening of hunting season. Jon and Becky had planned their first hunting trip in Eastern Oregon after Jon\u2019s surgeries. Determined to keep up with his wife, Jon continued with his rehabilitation exercises while he packed his hunting gear and scouted the couple\u2019s planned hunting unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI committed to living my life,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And in November of 2019, Jon and his wife Becky returned to the wilderness, scaling mountains and seeking clear cuts, determined to fill his hunting tag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got my life back,\u201d Jon said. \u201cAnd if just one person decides to commit to joint replacement from my story, then this was well worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Jump, Stand, Run & Pivot – Thank Your Knees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Did you know that the knee is the largest joint in the body? And, it is one of the most easily injured? Orthopedic surgeons do more work on knees than any other part of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learn About Knees<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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See an Example of a Knee Replacement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When considering knee joint replacement, talk with your surgeon about the surgical approach that is best for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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