BEAVER DAM, Wis. (WIFR) – A Wisconsin man who suffered with chronic knee pain looks forward to spending more time with his 5-year-old granddaughter, following a multi-year health journey.
Four years ago, Jim Breitzman moved from Columbus to Beaver Dam to be closer to his family, but his health issues got in the way of the activities he enjoys.
“I’ve had bad knees for 20 plus years, and I just needed to do something about it,” he said.
Knowing he needed to lose nearly 180 pounds before he would be cleared for knee surgery, Breitzman began a journey with the hip and knee osteoarthritis program at UW Health.
The program consists of doctors, dietitians, nurse practitioners, physical therapists and mental health professionals who work together to build a tailored plan for patients.
Breitzman’s physical therapist Cassie Raduka says whenever a patient enters the program, their journey usually starts with reason they want to embark on a difficult journey.
“The main reason, the main driving force was my granddaughter,” Breitzman shared.
“He’s a great example of someone with a great ‘why?’” Raduka said.
After a weight-loss surgery and working out at the local YMCA three to five days a week, Breitzman was finally cleared to get both knees replaced in 2024.
“If anybody asked me how things were going at the Y, I said they’re going slow but steady and I think that’s my motto. Obviously it wasn’t going to happen overnight for me, so I just kind of pressed on,” he said.
With his last knee surgery taking place around four months ago, he is well into recovery and says he even went back to training at the Y.
Jim Breitzman and his granddaughter, Lainey(WIFR)
“I really can’t explain how great I feel,” he said. “Being able to go out fishing more, being able to get my boat out by myself, or not relying on others so much, and just enjoying getting out, taking Lainey (his granddaughter) to parks, just being outside rather than being cooped up in the house and looking outside wishing I was out there.
Breitzman says his new goal is getting a bike this summer and riding around town.
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