The closer we all get to our “sell by date,” some folks find their body parts seem to be wearing out, or at least, they don't work like they used to.

Our knees creak and pop, our hips ache, the eyes have these little black spots floating around like tadpoles in a pond. It is still easy to bend over to pick up something, but getting back up can be a bit problematic.

As we live in one of the oldest communities in the oldest county in the oldest state in the nation, these problems are not secrets.

Sometimes, our friends, especially those at the coffee shop’s liars’ table, talk about the good old days.

But we have selective memories. We remember the good times and block out the bad.

Years ago, many of us knew “mean old ladies” and “grumpy old men.” Many of them were “mean” and “grumpy” because they were in pain — lots of it. In many cases, it was because their bodily parts were wearing out and they hurt. They hurt a lot.

At the time, doctors could do little other than fusing the joints and telling these sour seniors to rely on canes, walkers and wheelchairs. Sometimes they self-medicated with pills and alcohol.

It was all they could do. Now, thankfully, we have a solution. It is called joint replacement, and lots of folks are opting for it.

The National Institutes of Health say more than 1 million Americans have their joints replaced each year. In a published study, Dr. Daniel Berry of the Mayo Clinic estimates there are more than seven million of Americans walking around with artificial hips or knees. Here at home, Maine Medical Partners says it has replaced more than 1,600 hips, knees and shoulders in 2013.

For many, it is a miracle. They go into surgery. When they wake up, the intense pain that ruled their lives has disappeared. If you don't think so, just ask Oscar “Sonny” Webb, a 74-year-old Southport resident who just might be the poster boy for joint replacements.

Webb, a native of the county, has lived in the Boothbay region since he was discharged from the U.S. Marines in 1962. He is a scrambler who has had a series of tough jobs, all of them hard on his body, including working as a bartender, a stern man, and a carpenter. He even spent a winter in Mississippi working as the guy who ran the bumper car ride at an amusement park.

He says the joint pain was so intense he couldn't sleep and was taking a lot of pain pills. In the 1990s, he sought help.

Since then, he has had three shoulder replacement surgeries and three knee replacements. He has had both hands operated upon to correct a condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome. In September, he has a date with Maine Medical Partners’ Dr. Brian McGrory to see about having his hips replaced.

He is a sort of a bionic man — and he knows it.

“I have so much metal in my body, I can't walk past a junk yard when they have that big magnet in operation,” he says with a twinkle in his eye.

When he goes down to see McGrory, Webb expects to be told the osteoarthritis in his hips has gotten so bad they will be replaced with a metal gizmo.

“I can't wait to till I get to 80 to see what will happen then,” said Webb.

Here is what he, and we, can expect.

Studies from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons show that six percent of us who make it to age 80 will need a new hip. Ten percent of those who blow out 80 candles on a birthday cake will need a new knee.

“This large number highlights how these operations have kept a substantial part of our population mobile, despite severe arthritis,” Dr. Berry's study states.

“These are the days of miracles and wonder,” wrote Paul Simon in his hit tune, “The Boy in the Bubble.” The tune-smith was right.

Those suffering from bum hips or knees or other worn out body parts can now get replacements. It it is almost like going to the local auto parts store to buy a new spark plug for the old lawnmower.

For those who might be hesitant about going to a surgeon who will slice open your body and replace your bone with metal, Webb says not to worry about it.

“There is no reason to ignore the pain. It isn't going to get any better,” he said.

Artificial hips, knees, shoulders? I wonder what comes next.