I am not sure words are enough to thank Dr. Christie Heikes and team for their care for daughter over the last several years. As a competitive gymnast, it feels like injuries come with the territory. It’s never easy and always emotional. Multiple sprains and two surgeries later, they are our trusted team for ensuring Maliyah continues to reach her goals despite the injuries and setbacks. They truly care about her and her success. The care we receive and the concern for not only Maliyah’s physical well-being, but also her emotional well-being, is second to none. There is no other team we trust to care for our daughter.

February 16th, 2020 was a date I’ll never forget. Before this date, I was a very active individual. I went to the gym every day and I was constantly outdoors, exploring new activities. I had just joined a Jiu Jitsu club for a few months and was so excited to learn more about the sport. However, on February 16th, 2020, I tore my ACL. I was devastated. In the summer of 2020, I was supposed to graduate from the physical and last portion of my degree; and of course I was not able to. Many people who know me know I am very hopeful and positive and that is how I remained. I hoped it wasn’t a tear, until I received confirmation from the doctors I fully tore my ACL. I lost all hope. I was mentally and physically defeated, thinking about doing the things I wouldn’t be able to do anymore…or at least not for a while.

Thankfully, I had the best care team I could ever ask for at Twin Cities Orthopedics. My surgeon was Dr. Heikes, with her team, Callie Tosney and Megan Armstrong PA-C. My physical therapist was Braidy Solie. Without these individuals, my hope would have been lost during 9 months of rehab. With them, I gained confidence and hope that one day I will do what I love again. Each of them provided me with guidance and reassurance that I could get through the journey. They reminded me how strong and fierce I am. They pushed me to do things I never thought I would be able to do again.

Today, I have graduated from school and have accepted a position in my dream job. I am back to doing the things I loved to do. I continue to push myself to try new things and give 100% on everything because, one day, it could all be gone just like it was February 16th, 2020. I will be forever grateful for my team and everything they’ve done to get me back to where I am today.

On February 16, 2020 I tore my ACL. I was devastated. I was supposed to finish school last summer but I couldn’t do the required physical portions. Thankfully, I was lead to Dr. Heikes and her team, Megan, PA-C and Calli. With their help I had two successful surgeries and completed 9 months of physical therapy. Throughout my recovery I felt defeated more times than not, but with trusting and listening to my team, I gained a lot of confidence. They were never wrong and they always knew exactly what to do. Today, I have graduated college and am so grateful to have had such an amazing team from TCO! I have been able to return to my normal, active self and do the things I love to do! Thank you all.

When I first sought out a consult for knee replacements, I asked for a physician with a good bedside manner. I was immediately directed to Dr. Heikes and I have never been disappointed. Not only is she one of the kindest, most caring doctors I’ve had, she also takes her time to listen and get to know you as a person. She makes sure you are not just a patient to her – you are an individual with a story.

Before I met Dr. Heikes, I was told by several surgeons that I was too young for knee replacements. I was given very few options to try and none of those worked. Dr. Heikes always thinks outside the box. She found solutions when others found dead ends. When those solutions were used up, she gladly and expertly replaced my knees. First it was a set of partial replacements and then, when the rest of my knees were in need, she completed bilateral total replacements.

The deep concern and precise care that she shows is not unique to herself, but to her physician assistant Megan Armstrong as well. Together they form an incredible team to give the best care I could have asked for. I am walking and playing with my kids today because of them. They gave me back my life and my mobility and for that I am so very grateful. If you’re searching for the right medical team for you, I cannot recommend Dr. Heikes and Megan Armstrong PA-C enough.

Close to two years ago Dr. Heikes performed knee surgery due to knee cartilage damage from a hard impact on my knee.

I was able to begin running and racing one mile to 10 mile races less than a year following the surgery. Dr. Heikes has a gift of listening and explaining in layman’s terms for a clearer understanding of discussions. Good job Dr. Heikes!

I can’t say enough about the care and support given by Dr. Heikes and her team.  I searched for to find the right fit with a surgeon to replace a knee that was giving me a lot of pain.  Dr. Heikes was my third opinion.  She was willing to sit down with me and my husband and answer all of our questions. I felt very comfortable with her by the time the appointment was over. Her confidence was amazing and I would do the second knee when and if it needs to be done without hesitation. Great job team.

Over the past few years, I became aware that my right knee was deteriorating from Osteo-Arthritis. Two years ago I began seeing Dr. Christie Heikes at the Twin Cities Orthopedics Edina facility for knee injections – the pain had become intense. Her amazing Physician Assistant, Katie, coached and comforted me through all of the injections – we tried two different types of injections and I am terrified of needles. (I don’t know what I would have done without Katie!) Dr, Heikes listened to me and documented my every fear and concern. She then tailored the treatment of my knee accordingly. I felt so totally supported by Dr. Heikes in every way. Her sensitivity to my feelings was, without exception, phenomenal. When it came time for me to make the final decision to have a total knee replacement, I felt confident that I was making the right decision. Both she and Katie were there with me nearly every step of the way. I am now six weeks out of surgery and my range of motion is 130 degrees. My extension is nearly perfect and my incision is completely healed with no anticipation of being left with a scar! This orthopedic surgeon should not be overlooked by anyone anticipating having total knee replacement surgery! If you choose Dr. Heikes, I am 100% certain that you will be glad that you did!

After more than five years of supportive, conservative knee pain management, my strength and stability had collapsed. It became apparent by continued pain, an x-ray and MRI, that it was my time for a total knee replacement. Dr. Heikes had been helping me manage my pain for years and helped as I moved into needing a new knee. Having the EXCEL Program as an option with TCO made my decision to do it now, that much easier.

Focused, multidisciplinary post-operative care in a non-hospital environment was optimal for me and my family. With my insurances’ approval, I took part in the TCO EXCEL Program having a left total knee replacement in June of 2015. I received top notch care and was walking down the hall that afternoon after an intense physical and occupational therapy session. With my own training at home, I am not looking back! Many adventures await!

I tore my ACL about two months ago now and was absolutely blown away at the service I got from both Dr. Heikes and TCO. From the initial visit, to the MRI, to the surgery, I was given amazing service. I have had other surgeries where the doctor barely remembers your name, but that wasn’t the case with Dr. Heikes. She did such a great job explaining what the process, recovery, PT was going to look like and even went over and above checking in with me post-op. I coach soccer at Edina High School and have recommended Dr. Heikes and TCO to many of my athletes. They all come back to me saying the same thing, “Dr. Heikes was awesome!” I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend TCO or Dr. Heikes!

I had torn my meniscus last spring and put up with the pain and put off surgery for almost 8 months. Finally less than two weeks before I was scheduled to go to Peru and visit the ruins of Machu Picchu I decided to go in and have Dr. Heikes scope my knee. The surgery was easier than I anticipated and Dr. Heikes trimmed off the frayed edge of my meniscus as well as removed some floating cartilage. 12 days after surgery I was in Peru climbing Huayna Picchu and to my delight I was pain free. This is considered one of the 20 most dangerous hikes in the world. Thank you Dr. Heikes!

When Brinley was 8 years old, she broke her arm at gymnastics from a very simple “trip and fall” after a cartwheel – it was the day before Christmas. It was odd she broke her arm from a fall like that but strange things happen. Brinley was terrified. We went to another orthopedic center first and the doctor there said, “Her arm will be fine, no need to reset it. She’d regain full range of motion as she grew and the bone straightened out”. She was doing competitive gymnastics and her coach told us to see Dr. Heikes at Twin Cities Orthopedics. We called for a second opinion and got in with Dr. Heikes immediately. Our nightmare turned around the minute we met her. Due to her experience in the sports world, she knew Brinley would need full range of motion as soon as she was healed. She scheduled us for surgery and Brinley’s arm was re-set.

The experience was nothing short of fantastic, from the nurses to the anesthesiologist everyone bent over backwards to make her experience a good one. Brinley’s arm healed up fine and we were back in business. Then, she broke her arm again – in the exact same spot. Dr. Heikes immediately thought something was up and ran blood work. Turns out, Brinley had a big Vitamin D deficiency. If it wasn’t for Dr. Heikes’ thorough treatment, we may never have figured that out and could have been in for many more breaks and fractures as time went on. I cannot say enough about our experience, from the wonderful bedside manner to making special casts for Brinley each time she needed a new one, Christie Heikes and her team went above and beyond. We have returned to Dr. Heikes with all our orthopedic needs over time and have referred many friends to her – and will continue to do so.

Dr. Heikes and her team at Twin Cities Orthopedics provided me ‘top notch’ orthopedic care. With her cutting edge surgical training I had minimal pain and swelling with major knee ligament reconstruction. My scar is hardly visible! I have now been able to return to all my sports without limits or worries. Thanks!

She was patient and listened to what I had to say and to my concerns. Dr. Heikes then thoughtfully and simply explained my different options in a manner which I could understand. I felt so relieved to know my diagnosis what could be done to get me better. I felt so empowered and grateful to be in her care.

I felt so lucky to have Dr. Heikes as my physician. The whole process from getting an appointment to having surgery was seamless. I felt that she gave me individualized care and could really relate to my wants and needs as a patient.