Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/138116
Every time Martin Pojar of Nixa moved his knees, he says it felt like sharp objects were poking and grinding against the bones. Martin could no longer get in his fishing boat, work on his antique car or do anything that required him to bend and move his knees. Eventually, he was using a cane to walk. "I finally got to the point where I couldn't hardly walk at all. That was it," says Martin. He made an appointment with Dr. William Wester, orthopedic surgeon, who recommended total knee replacement surgery. "The most common cause of knee pain is arthritis, which is from wear on the joint cartilage," explains Dr. Wester, who says that Martin did not have any cartilage left. Before surgery, Martin attended Dr. William Wester the Joint Adventure class. During the program, Martin took a virtual tour of the Meyer Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital, including the operating room, a patient room and the physical therapy area. During a Joint Adventure class, patients learn about their upcoming joint replacement surgery. 10