Outdoor enthusiast overcomes rheumatoid arthritis with successful joint replacements at Essentia

A quick conversation with Crosby's Lynn Harker is sure to be an energetic one. The 75-year-old has spent his whole life living in the Brainerd Lakes area enjoying all the outdoor activities he can. An outdoors enthusiast of sorts, Harker grew up playing football, basketball and golf. He's a hunter and an avid angler — something he enjoys so much that he works as a fishing guide during the summer.

"Fishing is my true passion," Harker said. "I love being on the water in the summer."

In 2014, Harker was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis – a chronic disorder that impacts the joints. Shortly after his diagnosis, he started infusion therapy to help manage the pain.

"I really didn't want to have surgery, so I tried everything I could first," Harker said. "But really, I was just putting a Band-Aid on discomfort and pain that wouldn’t go away.”

Over time, the arthritis and the wear and tear of an active lifestyle became too much and he started exploring surgery. Harker went to the experts at Essentia Health in Brainerd for advice.

"Everyone there is wonderful," Harker said. "The whole staff is very caring and concerned for your well-being, and they do their best to make you as comfortable as possible."

In 2016, Harker had his right shoulder replaced by Dr. Christopher Metz, an orthopedic surgeon at Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center.

"My shoulder surgery was life-changing," he said. "I have total mobility back with no discomfort and full range of motion. I can do anything anyone else can do and I have no discomfort."

"We're here to help patients and explain what surgical and non-surgical options are available to them,” said Dr. Metz. “Lynn decided that his quality of life was affected enough that it was time to replace his joint, and when patients get to that point and have the surgery they are routinely happy with the joint replacement.”

Harker was so pleased that he had two more surgeries – one on his left shoulder in 2018 and then on his right knee in 2021. All were performed by Dr. Metz.

“He is top-notch,” Harker said graciously. “As much as I’ve seen him over the years, he’s kind of a friend now. I’ve even taken him fishing. He is just very easy to talk to. He would explain everything about each surgery and let me know what the possibilities and options were. He’s fantastic.” 

All three of Harker’s surgeries were overwhelming successes. He feels like he’s able to continue living the active lifestyle he cherishes.

“I feel like I’m in better shape than most people my age and can do more active things with no limitations,” Harker said. “I still walk 10-12 miles a day during pheasant hunting. I guide all day in a boat, go deer and duck hunting and have no problems at all.”

“It is very common that patients will have multiple joints affected by arthritis,” said Dr. Metz. “When we provide that expert care and engage patients in the decision-making process, it makes it easy for them to choose where they will go for their next joint problem.”

Harker said one of the things Essentia offers that really made a difference is the Joint Camp. This is a short class offered to patients to help them recover from joint-replacement surgeries. It teaches them best practices for regaining mobility, how to make certain movements and have a successful recovery.

“We perform more than 700 joint-replacement surgeries per year at Essentia, and have developed our Joint Wellness Center to guide patients through this process,” said Dr. Metz. “This program helps educate patients and their families about the process, prepare for the procedure and the rehabilitation that will take place after their joint is replaced. We believe this program has dramatically improved patient outcomes.”

While he’s hoping he doesn’t require any more surgeries, Harker said he’d have no reservations about going back to Dr. Metz. Until then, he’s enjoying life on the lake, as well as retirement with his wife of more than 50 years and their two kids and seven grandchildren.