Dr. Mair sees patients at TCO Waconia, Chaska, and the Ridgeview Delano location. Click here for directions.

Hospitals:

• Ridgeview Medical Center
• Fairview Southdale

Surgery Centers:

• Plymouth Orthopedic Surgery Center
• Two Twelve Surgery Center
• Crosstown Surgery Center
• Orthopedic Institute

Dr. Mair and his team most often treat conditions of the knees, including knee arthroscopy and knee replacements. He treats all shoulder problems and injuries, and performs shoulder arthroscopies and rotator cuff repairs. Commonly performed hip surgeries include hip fractures and hip replacements. His approach is a combination of both conservative and surgical treatments, which can vary depending on each individual patient.

The EXCEL Orthopedic Surgery and Recovery program is available to patients who generally healthy but have an orthopedic condition that requires surgery that is not typically done as an outpatient. The surgery is done in the Crosstown Surgery Center on the third floor of the Edina Clinic of Twin Cities Orthopedics. Post operatively patients are transported to a specially designed medical apartment a few blocks away, where there is nursing and medical staff available 24 hrs/day and 7 days a week.  Because the patient is never admitted to the hospital there is a substantial cost savings and a lower risk of hospital acquired infections. This option is particularly attractive for patients who are paying their own bills, employers who are self-insured, worker’s compensation and patients travelling to the U.S. for their medical care because the costs are less than half of what they are in the hospital.

If you are a new patient, please arrive to your appointment early in order to complete the registration process. In addition, please bring the following:

• Driver’s License or State ID
• Referral (if required by insurer)
• Insurance information
• Copies of operation records, medical records, x-rays, MRIs and CT scans from prior doctor visits
• List of current medications and any known allergies

It depends, as each patient’s situation is unique. If you have any questions, please contact your doctor’s care team before your appointment, and we will be very happy to address any of your questions.

Yes, absolutely. The more information we have regarding your unique situation and past history, the better equipped we are to provide the highest level of care. Bringing any previous x-rays, scans, and/or documentation (if available) is recommended. If you do not have this information, don’t worry; we will still take great care of you.

Ice should be used during the acute phase (first 24 to 48 hours) following an injury, or whenever there is swelling. Ice decreases blood flow to the area, which in turn decreases swelling and inflammation. Heat does the opposite. It increases blood flow to the area and can provide pain relief once the swelling and inflammation has subsided. Heat is good to use prior to doing any exercises or physical therapy as it warms up your muscles.

You can use the General Contact Form on the Contact & Locations page of this website to get in touch with Dr. Mair regarding second opinions or contact us via phone to set up an appointment or speak with a member of our care team.

You can get cortisone injections every 3 to 4 months as long as they continue to provide symptomatic relief.

Some patients get immediate relief from a cortisone injection. For others, it may take up to 2 weeks for the injection to take effect. However, most people notice relief within 2 to 3 days. The duration of a cortisone injection can vary greatly. Some will last as long as a year, whereas others may last only a few days. It is also important to know that occasionally pain can get worse following a cortisone injection before it gets better. In the meantime, over the counter pain medications and ice are recommended.

Plymouth Orthopedic Surgery Center is a 19,000+ square foot facility that includes five surgery suites. It is a surgery center where we have the capability to perform nearly all same-day orthopedic surgery procedures. Twin Cities Orthopedics also has four care suites on-site for patients in our EXCEL Surgery and Recovery program.

Two Twelve Surgery Center is a 22,000+ square foot facility which includes 4 surgery suites and a procedure room. Conveniently located in the southwest metro (located at Highways 212 and 41), the Two Twelve Surgery Center offers patients a complete outpatient surgery solution at one location.

The Orthopedic Institute is a premiere destination for patients to access world-class orthopedic care. It is located on the fifth floor of Ridgeview’s Two Twelve Medical Center in Chaska.

This facility includes 6 operating rooms and 20 private suites for inpatient post-surgical care and recovery, and has a distinct recovery space for patients returning home the same day as their surgery. At the Orthopedic Institute, we offer high quality care from a relationship-based team to help you return to the highest quality of life with optimal mobility.

If you have already had imaging studies done, surgery recommended or have a longstanding problem, consider setting up a Virtual Spine Consultation. To set up a face-to-face appointment call your doctor’s Care Coordinator at 952-442-2163.

When a patient sees Dr. Mair for the first time, he reminds them that “today is not a decision-making day.” The initial visit is about fact-gathering, listening to your story, and learning more about you. He’ll then examine your concerns, review X-rays if you have them, and begin to build a list of options for you. He and his team want you to feel comfortable and relaxed, so they can understand how best to help you.

If you have records from another physician, provider, or hospital you may bring them with you to your appointment. If you do not have a copy, please contact the physician, provider, or hospital prior to your TCO appointment to let them know we will be requesting them.

Yes, of course. Feel free to have family members or friends join you in your consultation. Many patients find it is helpful to have support in the room, even just as an extra set of ears to remember the details of the visit.

After your appointment, or after surgery, you can expect prompt and accessible follow-up treatment. Care continues long after surgery and we want to be a part of your complete healing process. If you ever have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

If an MRI scan or other diagnostic test was ordered, you will be called with the results once available.

If you have questions after your appointment, please feel free to contact us. You can call our clinic directly, or contact us using the General Contact Form on the Contact & Locations page of this website.

The amount of time will vary depending on each unique patient, and each unique procedure. Please feel free to discuss this with us in your appointment, or contact us directly with any questions. You may call our clinic, or email us using the General Contact Form on the Contact & Locations page of this website.

The timeframe for recovery depends on the procedure and the individual, but it is our goal to get you back to your regular lifestyle as fast as possible. You can discuss your likely recovery time at your appointment.

Each individual will experience different pain levels, but it is our goal to have you feeling 100% as soon as possible. To get an idea of the pain expectations for your individual case, please discuss with Dr. Mair at your appointment.

Please note that we strive to get our patients off narcotic pain medication as soon as possible. It can be needed shortly after surgery, but we do not advocate long-term use of pain medication. We take pain medication very seriously and make sure it is necessary before signing a prescription for any patient.

Cortisone Injection

Some patients get immediate relief from a cortisone injection. For others, it may take up to 2 weeks for the injection to take effect. However, most people notice relief within 2-3 days. The duration of a cortisone injection can vary greatly, depending on multiple factors. Some will last as long as a year, whereas others may last only a few days. It is also important to know that occasionally pain can get worse following a cortisone injection before it gets better. If that occurs, ice and over the counter pain medications are recommended.

You can get cortisone injections every 3-4 months, as long as they continue to provide symptomatic relief and you have not had any significant side effects or adverse reactions. Keep in mind that the more often you get them, there is a greater chance that they will likely become less effective over a period of time.

Please call Dr. Mair’s PA-C or Care Coordinator at least 1-2 days before you need a refill on your medication. Almost all narcotic pain medications are considered Schedule 2, which means you are required by law to bring a handwritten prescription with the provider’s original signature to the pharmacy. They cannot be called or faxed in and we cannot include refills on the written prescription. In case we are in surgery or in clinic at another location, we cannot always address this immediately, so please plan ahead as you will need to allow enough time for us to sign the prescription and for you to pick it up and get it to your pharmacy.

Any non-narcotic medications can be refilled via phone or fax. Please contact your pharmacy and they will submit a refill request to us. This process can take 24-48 hours. Medications will NOT be refilled outside of normal business hours, including weekends.

Each individual experiences pain at different levels and pain also varies widely depending on the specific procedure. Depending on your type of surgery, we will let you know the expected time frame to be off of pain medications. Our goal is to manage your pain appropriately and get you feeling better quickly, so we strive to get our patients off narcotic pain medications as soon as possible. It is reasonable to need pain medications in the immediate postoperative phase, but we do not advocate long term use of pain medications for any condition.