Cry me a river about your knees. Hell, I just had knee surgery (unrelated) a month ago yeaterday. No. Scratch that. Actually it IS related. Well at least what your talking about using a ladder. It happened when I stepped down off a ladder. Funny thing. NEVER had an issue climbing past some bloody shins that some kotex took care of after climbing 40-60 poles a day doing wreck out.
That 80 year old lineman may have had his false teeth fall out, but he didn't follow. Sounds like he was a real lineman that knew how to get the job done. Just because a ladder might be easier, it is not neccessarily the right way.

P.S. Unrelated to this thread, but thanks for the note on my dog thread. Your ankle biter looks like he could be a real little shit! Cute fellow.