Imagine being sledded down a mountain “blue” ski run headfirst by ski patrol, while being wrapped up like a mummy, with a newly splinted leg! That was the beginning of my comeback story. The ambulance ride to Vail Hospital was brief and the emergency room staff quickly diagnosed the seriousness of my injury—a complete quadriceps tendon tear!

My choice was to either have immediate reconstructive surgery there or back in Minnesota. After conferring with my home doctor, the logical decision was to fly home and have the surgery and subsequent aftercare along with physical therapy, all at Twin Cities Orthopedics. I left Vail immediately, with a splinted leg and crutches, and was back in Minneapolis the next morning, en route to the Blaine TCO Urgent Care Center that also has surgical and physical therapy teams. Once there, I was examined and the Vail diagnosis was confirmed. My surgery was scheduled and following my pre-op physical, I arrived back at the Blaine TCO for surgery that was performed by Dr. Jason Barry with Rebecca Munson, PA-C, assisting.

The procedure involved the reattachment of the quadriceps tendon to the patella, along with 30 staples to close the wound site. I was released that day wearing a new, adjustable leg splint that could be dialed by degree to restrict knee flexing along with cautionary instructions not to re-injure the tendon and to follow a specific knee/quadriceps rehab protocol in physical therapy.

Snow and ice made navigating on crutches very difficult. With the leg splint set to no knee flexing for the next two weeks, my quality of life quickly deteriorated. One does not realize how difficult living can be without mobility until it happens. I somehow managed through the holidays.

At two weeks, I had a post surgery visit with Rebecca and had the staples removed. The battlefield surgery site was healing well and Rebecca gave me encouragement that indeed I was progressing. I received physical therapy orders consisting of twice weekly PT, working towards 60 degree of knee flex by the end of the next 30 days.

Previous to the accident, my wife and I had booked the month of January in Florida and now, I would begin my PT there away from snow and ice. Finding PT in Florida during the winter months proved to be difficult due to an abundance of seniors and golfers needing PT. Those first 30 days were challenging and I slowly made incremental progress towards my flex and strength goals.

I returned to TCO for my six-week post surgery checkup by Rebecca. The visible surgery site was now healed and I received new, twice weekly, physical therapy orders to rebuild my quadriceps strength, increase knee flexibility to 120 degrees, and improve my mobility with the goal of weaning myself off crutches by the end of the next 60 days.

I was fortunate to be assigned a highly trained and professional TCO physical therapy team primarily consisting of Ashley Rundle, DPT, and on occasion Maribeth Honomichl, ATC, PTA. The Blaine physical therapy center also contained state-of-the-art equipment that, along with instruction by the PT team, made a tremendous difference in the tempo of my recovery. For example, Ashley utilized their BFR (Blood Flow Restriction) machine on me that speeds up the strengthening of muscle mass by restricting blood flow to the affected area. Muscle mass strengthens more quickly in an anaerobic state. The PT team also gave me exercise routines to perform at home and as my progress improved, exercises were added to build my recovery step-by-step. I definitely could see I was making progress and this added to my confidence in regaining more mobility. Going down stairs by single stepping the treads was a concern of mine and we worked through that. Another concern was getting up off the floor without something to pull myself up with. Here again, the PT team worked with me to show me how I could accomplish this. Sounds simple, but again losing mobility and strength as I did, I had to regain my confidence and ability to do these tasks. The PT team made the therapy sessions fun that also encouraged me to do my PT homework. I always ended my PT sessions with their ice compression machine that reduced swelling and made my leg feel good.

I made my final post surgery visit with Rebecca after 3 months post surgery and she gave me the “return to normal activities” order. I felt like a marathoner running through the tape—I made it! While I know I still need to continue my strengthening, I have her confidence in my progress and the backup–if I need more care, don’t hesitate to call.

In summary, TCO provided compassionate care in all aspects (surgery and aftercare, physical therapy and training) that made my comeback story a success. All of their staff, including those not specifically named in this story (nurses, anesthesiologist, receptionists and others behind the scenes) played a vital role in my comeback and I am truly grateful. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend TCO to my family and friends! Thank you!

On July 21st, 2015, my worst nightmare came true. I tore my anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). I was absolutely devastated by the injury because I injured my knee in the last club soccer game before my junior year of high school soccer season would start. At my first appointment at TCO, my nightmare was confirmed with an MRI; I had ruptured my ACL through and through. On August 7th was when the real work began to come back from this injury.

Dr. Jason Barry successfully reconstructed my ACL and within a week I had my first physical therapy appointment with Bryan DeJarlais. I knew from just how frustrating and hard the first appointment was that I was in for one of my life’s biggest challenges. Working along with Bryan was Courtney Scherr, PTA. Throughout my recovery, I feel she made the biggest impact. She challenged me physically and mentally every appointment, but also recognized that I was struggling with being out of the sport I love so much. She pushed me to do the best I could and ultimately helped me get cleared to return to sport at 6 months. When I concluded my regular physical therapy sessions, I decided I was not ready for contact yet and joined the Athletic Competition Enhancement (ACE) training. After the eight week program concluded, I was eight months post-op and felt ready to go. Using the strength and resiliency TCO taught me, I successfully returned to playing soccer at a high level, which I now play NCAA Division III soccer at the College of St. Scholastica, something I did not think was possible after my injury occurred.

Thanks to the great care I received at TCO and the bonds I made with the physical therapists, I have decided to pursue physical therapy as my future career and hope to one day soon help patients who are in a position that I was once in succeed.

I have nothing but incredible things to say about my Physical Therapist, Kaci Platz. I was assigned to Kaci after my surgery for a torn shoulder labrum, that was repaired by Dr. Jason Barry (another incredible TCO team member). My shoulder had been in pain for the better part of 6 years prior to my surgery. During those years, I had been seen by other doctors and even received physical therapy and cortisone shots to “help” with the pain. One doctor went so far as telling me that I would probably have this pain permanently and would be receiving cortisone shots on a “regular basis”. My job as a UPS driver requires lots of movement and bouncing around in a vehicle, that was nearly impossible to deal with over my 458 nightly miles to Iowa and back to Minneapolis. My injury also caused me to stop playing guitar and drums. the slightest motions made it impossible to hold a drumstick or strum any guitar.

In December of 2018, I had enough of the endless pain that was impairing my sleep, work, and everyday life. I was referred to TCO by my personal physician at Fairview. Upon my meetings with Dr. Barry, I knew things were gonna be different. He did tests and asked questions no one else had before. After an MRI confirmed what we suspected, we scheduled an orthoscopic repair in January 2019. The surgery went very well and healing was slow. Being in an immobilizing sling was hard to get used to.

I met with Kaci and was impressed with her questions and how gentle she was at our initial visit. As most people would be, I was very guarded of my shoulder and wanted nothing to do with anyone moving or manipulating my healing shoulder/arm. Kaci was good about gaining trust and manipulated my shoulder with the lightest but necessary movements. Over the following weeks, I looked forward to physical therapy sessions, as I found pain relief following each meeting and gained strength through the assigned exercises. Through those exercises, and great advice given by Kaci, I am excited to say that I am on track to return to work nearly a month earlier than expected (pending Dr. Barry’s examination and approval).

As of this writing, I am pain-free and excited to return to work without daily struggles with excruciating pain and numbness. I hope to shortly start playing catch with my kids who are both in softball and baseball. I can play guitar again with NO issues!!!!!

I truly wish I had come to TCO earlier and avoided the pain and countless sleepless nights/days. I have recommended Twin Cities Orthopedics to anyone who has issues with pain and will have nothing but great things to say about my treatment and recovery. Many THANKS to the TCO team for their help with my recovery.

I was injured during a family rollerskating event on New Year’s Eve 2018. I fell from a piece of metal abruptly catching my rollerskate. I was in excruciating pain, unable to walk without extensive pain, and our lives were changed for the unknown ahead of us. As we anticipated the outcome and uncertainty to find out what my injury was, TCO was amazing on every step of the way from my diagnosis of injury, surgery and recovery. All 3 of my hamstring muscles were torn off my pelvic bone and needed to be surgically screwed to my pelvic bone for proper healing to occur. I had been working at the school in our district and could no longer do anything except lay on my back at home.

Dr. Barry and Rebecca Muson, PA treated me very well and did everything necessary to get things rolling quickly and efficiently. The aftercare was inspiring as I continued to heal, which included a card, and follow-up calls. Not only did they work with me, but they also involved my husband in the recovery as I was no longer able to be the active wife/mother of 4 that I was. This injury was a huge lifestyle change within our household, but TCO gave us skills and tools to make the healing/recovery as manageable as possible. I am now 3 months out from my surgery and am seeing the benefits that TCO provided with their care. I am able to walk now with physical therapists helping me every week and I can almost sit without severe pain.

I would like to thank all of the staff at TCO Blaine for the excellent care they provided to me and my family. TCO will be my recommended choice for friends or family in need of orthopedic care. Thank you for everything Twin Cities Orthopedics!!!

I first saw Dr. Barry for a tear in my right knee 4 years ago when he repaired my meniscus tear and I had immediate relief. This year I have a tear in my left knee and had the surgery done by Dr. Barry and again I had immediate relief with no other complications or pain. His staff is professional, friendly and results driven. My knees feel great and I could not be happier with the results.

Dr. Barry and his staff are the best in the business. When I was going in for surgery I almost backed out but the staff made me feel so comfortable it was amazing. My nurse Nichole was great and the way the entire staff treated my wife and son after I was done was the best I could of ever ask for. But it doesn’t stop there! What Dr. Barry’s staff did after my surgery is of the charts, calling to check on me and assisting me in my troubles with insurance for my prescription. The staff is on top of it, calling with updates on what is going on so thank you all. I feel great and my family thanks you all.

Thanks, Braun W.

I came to Dr. Barry 6 months after an attempted meniscus repair by another doctor.  As I was overly concerned with having a second surgery, Dr. Barry answered all of my questions and we agreed on a plan together going in to my second surgery.  He was extremely patient, explained things in terms that I could understand and always seemed to have my best interest in mind.  Dr Barry’s care team was also stellar, from his PA, Becky, to the staff at the surgery center I visited twice in Fridley. I would recommend Dr. Barry and his care team to all my family and friends!

I was most definitely not looking forward to my surgery beforehand but I couldn’t be more pleased with Dr. Barry and his team. I was very impressed with his patience and making sure I (and my wife) had all questions answered and not once did I feel like I was just a knee. He also had a humble confidence that is great to see in a doctor of his stature. I’m not a big testimonial writer but felt this was deserved…

Dr. Barry and his staff and group did a great job. I had total knee replacement on 12/10/13. On 12/12/13 I could stand on my right leg without being supported by anything. I could not walk for a week without a walker. I had PT 2 times a day for 5 days in the hospital.  After 3 weeks I was already driving.  Then by February I was playing handball and played in the MN State Handball Association Golden Masters Doubles Handball Tournament March 7-8, 2014. I had PT 2 times a week for 9 weeks. I also did water exercises for 6 weeks. I still have scar tissue in my right knee and still stretch every day. I continue to play hand ball four days a week. Many of my fellow handball players have told me knee and hip replacements work out great, our only regret was WE waited too long to have the procedure. P.S. I plan to play in the MN State Handball Association Handball singles Tournament April 25th at the U of M.