Dr. Comfort did an excellent job navigating the right course of action, involving a very difficult diagnosis of my back/hip issue. He determined a hip replacement was not the right course of action, which likely saved me a lot of pain and recovery time on what could have been an unnecessary operation.

My issues were not knee replacements but repairing and removing my meniscus. Dr. Comfort repaired my right meniscus 2 years ago. And just 3 weeks ago, he repaired the left meniscus. Dr. Comfort and his team, Ashton (PA) and Molly (CA), are the best from start to finish! I recommend Dr. Comfort to anyone I know (and even people I don’t) when it comes to a trusting and honest surgeon. I have known Dr. Comfort and his team for 3 years now and consider them my friends! Thank you.

After 10 years of knee problems, I was happy and scared to hear Dr. Comfort say I needed a total knee replacement. Happy to know I would have a working knee again, and scared at the prospect of surgery and rehab. The EXCEL Program was just what I needed. The encouraging calls from Molly and the team helped me with workouts ahead of surgery to better prepare me for recovery afterward. They took care of the on slot of paperwork from insurance and work. They scheduled the surgery and all my physical therapy appointments and post-op checks.

March 5th at the Blaine Orthopedic Surgery Center, Dr. Comfort and his surgical team worked their magic on me. I was in the recovery room for 15 minutes and then got out of bed for a walk to the lav. The over night suite at the surgery center was comfortable and well equipped. The nursing staff and physical therapist took excellent care of me. The next week at home I was blessed to have my husband taking good care of me. The first week is the worst, spinal block wears off and swelling sets in and having to get up and move every 2 hours day and night. But i got through it with my marriage still intact!

The next week is where the work begins. Physical therapy twice a week with daily home exercises. Brian and Katie at the TCO Vadnais Heights are the best! They have the right moves to get you back on track and pain will get you gain. Every week I am amazed at how much more I can do. I am just 5 weeks post surgery and have returned to my household routines and some of my social routines. Workouts at the YMCA are slow but sure and soon I’ll be returning to my pool workouts. I am looking forward to a summer stand up paddle boarding on area lakes and riding my bike. By late summer I hope to be back at work as a flight attendant and enjoying life with my new knee! Thank you Dr. Comfort and TCO team for giving me my freedom back!

January of 2014 I had my left hip replaced by Dr. Comfort. April of 2018 I had my right hip done, again by Dr. Comfort. My recent surgery included participation in the EXCEL Program and was carried out at the High Point Surgery Center. Both procedures and my experiences with them, to include the EXCEL Program and High Point Surgery Center, were nothing but positive. I am 6 weeks out of my recent procedure and recovering well, to the extent that I am back to work and suffering only minimal muscle soreness. I would very much like to thank Dr. Comfort, Molly his assistant, and Dave for the great care they gave me through the process. Their care and talents have given me back the ability to enjoy a pain free lifestyle. Overall, I would highly recommend Dr. Comfort and his staff. Thank you Dr. Comfort and Twin Cities Orthopedic for the quality care given.

I had been having problems with a bad knee for well over a year. I had an appointment with Dr. Thomas Comfort who recommended a total knee replacement. The appointment was very thorough, I left with a great understanding of what to expect. They covered everything from pre-surgery to full recovery. On 02/15/18, Dr. Thomas Comfort performed my surgery at the Fairview Hospital in Wyoming, MN. Everything went well as I had been told it would. It is now 04/28/18 and although they say it takes up to six months for full recovery, I am feeling great. I highly recommend Twin Cities Orthopedic and Dr. Thomas Comfort.

Having a partial right knee replacement in September, 2017 done by Dr. Comfort and going through the EXCEL Program was a wonderful experience. A previous physician would not even consider a partial replacement. Dr. Comfort assured me this was the right decision and I have no regrets! Using the EXCEL Program, upon discharge from surgery center, you go to a health care facility in a private suite where you have a RN that takes care of you until discharged the next day. During that time you have several sessions of PT and are up walking with a walker. Dr. Comfort checks in on you that morning. When you leave you are feeling confident to go home and work on your recovery. Dr. Comfort, David, and Molly are all so reassuring, kind, and patient. I can now lift up my grandchildren without fear my knee will buckle under me. This was definitely the best medical experience I have ever had.  I highly recommend them!

I am 48 years old and Dr. Comfort did a total hip replacement on my right hip on October 17th, 2017. I was admitted into the EXCEL Program that is offered through TCO and would recommend this option to anyone who qualifies for it. Dr. Comfort is a top-notch surgeon and does a great job. I am currently 4 weeks post-op and cannot say enough about the success of my surgery and recovery. The surgery was performed at High Pointe Surgery Center in Lake Elmo where everyone from the admission person to the nurses and staff were extremely attentive and helpful. I then spent one night at White Bear Heights for recovery and again the entire process was pleasant. I left the facility being able to walk up and down the halls using a walker, climbed a flight of stairs with a cane, and even walked a short distance with no aide at all. 5 days after my surgery I was only using a cane to get around, and by my 2 week post-op appointment with Dr. Comfort I was walking with little to no assistance and driving! I was back to work 2 weeks after my surgery much to the amazement of my co-workers, family, friends, and most of all me! I have to remind myself that it has only been 4 weeks and that I still need to take it easy as I feel so great. I cannot thank Dr. Comfort and his wonderful staff at TCO, High Pointe, and White Bear Heights enough for such an amazing experience. I would not hesitate to refer Dr. Comfort to anyone (and I actually have) and will not hesitate to return to him if the need arises in the future.

Thank you for giving me a pain-free life again!!!!

I cannot thank Dr. Comfort enough for the exceptional, life changing outcome I have experienced since my total knee replacements.  I went from having tears while walking to get my mail to pain-free walking the dog, gardening, boating/kayaking, traveling, dancing with my husband and skipping with my granddaughter in just weeks after my knee replacement surgeries!  My life has completely changed for the better, renewing my desire to be active, laughing more and really becoming a better person mentally and physically. I am truly the person saying “I wish I would have done this sooner!” – I will gladly recommend Dr. Comfort and his staff David and Molly to each and everyone that is struggling to make the decision for knee replacement surgery.  Molly worked with my insurance company and promptly had my procedures approved and scheduled.  First knee was done mid-June and the second 3 weeks later in July 2017.  Recovery was fast and progress was seen and felt daily.  Best decision I have every made and my family and friends have been asking me to speak with their friends to recommend TCO and Dr. Comfort.  To wake up and get out of bed, go up and down stairs without pain is amazing, dancing with my husband and skipping with my granddaughter, is absolutely priceless! Thank YOU Dr. Comfort, David, Molly and all TCO staff!

I want to state that Dr. Thomas Comfort is a great Orthopedic Surgeon. 10 years ago, I had Dr. Comfort do a total knee replacement on my left knee and finally with the change in my health insurance, Dr. Comfort was back in my network so I could have my right knee done also. Thank you Dr. Comfort! I have full mobilization with both legs it’s like I’ve been given two brand new ones. I highly recommend Dr. Comfort to everyone as he is the best Orthopedic Surgeon. The recovery time was also very fast. Also I want to mention that with both knees working again, since June 12, 2017 I have lost 40 pounds because I can now exercise and move so much better.

Hi, I’m 58 and have had 2 full replacements and one redo. I had my first knee replaced in 2006 at 45.  Doctors always said the my constant knee pain was because I was so obese. I had laparoscopic surgery done first. Didn’t work. I had injections, and pain patches, I couldn’t walk stairs or get off the couch without help. My knee was damaged. I went to an orthopedic surgeon who said I needed replacement. It was the most unbearable pain I had ever felt. The physical therapy after was excruciating and lasted 6 months, 2 times a week.  I cried every day at therapy and it got so bad, I eventually quit going. Needless to say I never got full range of motion in that knee. I was no longer able to walk up stairs, ride a bike, or walk correctly. I lived with it for 10 years. I never thought I was going to have to go through that again. Well ten years later, my other knee began to have the same pain. I had asked a friend to recommend a new doctor for me to see and her recommendation was Dr. Comfort. After my first meeting with him, I was hooked. He took his time speaking with me, explaining what we could do and offered some things to try before I did the surgery. Things worked for a few years and then it came time to have my other knee replaced. I followed what he suggested as far as getting the knee strong before the surgery. The surgery went well, no problems. I knew as soon as I woke up that the pain was gone. I was able to have a physical therapist come to my home to help me do my exercises. I was happy to know that I could use different things I had at home to get in my workouts. Physical therapy was painless and only lasted a few weeks. I was able to regain full range of motion, again with no pain. With the exception of bad knee from my first surgery, I was able to walk up stairs normally. About 6 months later, I talked to Dr. Comfort about re-doing my first knee. He said it was going to be a harder and more complicated surgery because of how that knee was currently. I was afraid that if he couldn’t fix it, it would cause me more pain and problems. He said that since he hadn’t done the first surgery on that knee, he wouldn’t know exactly what was going on in my knee or how the surgery would be performed. I trusted him so much that I said, let’s go for it. It was a long surgery and my incision was 13 inches, as compared to a normal incision at 6 inches. He had to open in up all the way in order to remove the old knee, cut off some bone, and attach a new knee. It was sore for a few days, but again, a therapist came to my house to work with me. Over the few weeks that I worked with her, she was able to get me back to full range of motion, I could bend it to about 155. Eventually it stopped hurting and I was able to get up from a couch again without any help. Now, I can walk up the stairs with no problems and am able to bike and pedal all the way around.

Please, if you’re having pain, at least to meet with Dr. Comfort. He has a very gentle bedside manner, his staff is wonderful, kind, and caring and they are there for you throughout the complete process.

He has changed my life not once, but twice and he will always be my doctor for orthopedic work

Thank you Dr. Comfort and all of you that work with him.

My life/knee has become virtually pain free upon receiving a new knee from Dr. Thomas Comfort. After 45 years of athletic abuse, my new knee now enables me to walk comfortably, play golf (reasonably well) and exercise without everyone always asking: Why are you limping? or, What’s wrong with your leg? Upon seeing my scar, many friends and family thought Dr. Comfort was a plastic surgeon; only to find out later that he uses a lot of the same techniques as plastic surgeons. All aspects of my surgery and rehab went very well. Ok, the first two weeks stunk – which is to be expected – but after that it was continual progress and satisfaction. May have to get the other knee done, after all… it’s now my weak knee… Thanks again, Doc!

I met Dr. Thomas Comfort March of 2016. He decided I needed to have a new left knee so I proeceded to do what I was told by his staff. I started exercises before so it would easier after for me to recover post surgery. It worked very well.  I had very good recovery and I am able to get around.

As of late 2016 my left started to act up, so again I went to Dr. Comfort and found out I needed a left hip replaced. He did a total hip replacement and things went great. Within days after the surgery I was getting around with no pain or discomfort.

Now 1 year after my knee surgery and 3 months after my hip surgery I am able to get around like I did some years back. Thank you to Dr. Comfort and his team for all they have done.

I am a 47-year-old female that had my right hip replaced in April 2016. Dr. Comfort encouraged me to have the replacement when my quality of life was impacted. That time came and I am so glad that I had the operation. I have been pain free since the operation and far more active than I have been in years. Dr. Comfort genuinely wanted to improve my quality of life and for that, I thank him. The entire experience with Dr. Comfort, the TCO team and the EXCEL Program was excellent.

I have had pain in my left hip for many years, due primarily from arthritis. I put off seeing a doctor about it until I asked nurses at Wyoming Fairview Hospital who they would recommend for such a surgery. Dr. Thomas Comfort exceeded all my expectations. His before surgery interest, questions and care was exactly what I had hoped. He saw my difficulties with any walking and stairs. Surgery was scheduled as soon as possible. Following surgery, even in the hospital there was only minor discomfort. He scheduled in house physical therapy which was just what was needed to get my hip working without pain. In three weeks, I was walking normal, and doing the steps without pain, and now bicycle riding pain free.

It has been 3 months now, I am totally pleased with Dr. Comfort’s skill in surgery and his followup advice. His team of caregivers, the PA and nurses all were extremely helpful.

Dr. Comfort has done my knee replacement and my rotator cuff repair. He performs excellent surgery techniques and informed me of what to expect during recovery and when I would be back to normal activity. Very professional and knowledgeable in orthopedics. Dr. Comfort cares about his patient and gives high quality care. He has excellent staff, Molly his nurse, and David his assistant.  Together they a make a necessary surgery easy to understand. They explain what needs to be done, and are also available to answer your questions. They are kind, caring, and are looking for your best care possible. I highly recommend Dr. Comfort for your orthopedic care!

No hidden agenda in this post. I am a 52-year-old, white, obese female with borderline diabetes and osteoarthritis who was seeking a full knee replacement. Let the story begin!

I am writing this for patients who delay, for those who are afraid, for those who cannot decide, and for those who think, “I can’t do this.” Take a moment and listen to my story. It will not only get you to change medical doctors/clinics, but also let you know, “If I can do this, you can do this!” 

Five and a half years ago, I began seeing Dr. Thomas Comfort. I was bone-on-bone and had a destroyed meniscus.  On April 19, 2016, Dr. Comfort and his team completed a full knee replacement on my right knee (yes, the leg I drive with). Today, I have not one regret. My life is forever changed. This opinion is based upon the guidance I received; the support I received from medical staff; the precision of the knee replacement procedure; and the support I received overall from Dr. Comfort and his staff. They are amazing!

In October 2015, I watched and cared for my older sister when she had her knee replacement. It was at this point I realized preparation was not just important, but pertinent. I began the exercises outlined to build all of my leg muscles. I used an elliptical we had at home. On January 31, 2016, I quit smoking after nearly 30 years of smoking. I enrolled in the Quit Plan Program. On March 3, I joined Weight Watchers. I began eating healthier and exercising passionately. On April 19, 2016, the day of my surgery, I weighed in at 28.7 pounds less than my pre operative assessment with Dr. Comfort.

I was discharged from the hospital on April 21 and admitted to a transitional care unit. I was discharged from this facility after 10 days. Shortly after discharge, I was informed that my replacement post operative care was denied by insurance. This was a huge setback for me. I was scheduled for my second knee replacement on May 23. Emotionally and intellectually I was devastated. How could I afford to repay this debt when I did everything I was supposed to? The denial was because I “walked 200 steps before being discharged from the hospital.” I began working on my appeal and, AGAIN, Dr. Comfort and his staff supported me in this endeavor without hesitation. I was notified on May 2 that my insurance reversed their decision and agreed to pay for the entire replacement. My appeal documentation was over 19 pages. Hard work paid off!

I started outpatient therapy, and within four weeks my therapist indicated she had never discharged someone after five sessions. At this point my range was 135; average for a knee recipient, at best, is 120. We took two weeks off. I returned for three more sessions to support things such as getting off the floor, building my muscles in my hips, and gaining a stable gait. June 14 I graduated from outpatient therapy.

As of today, I have lost a total of 42 pounds, nine inches in my hips, and four inches in my chest. My healing is not over, but I continue to work to be healthy and mobile for future grandchildren. It was not easy. It was so painful—the worst I ever felt. However, my physician and professionals working with me did an astonishing job reinforcing the need to exercise and pushed me thru the pain. I am planning on a second knee replacement in April 2017.

What are your plans for your knee? If I can do it, seriously, anyone can!

Thank you so much!

I had left hip replacement surgery on March 8, 2016, performed by Dr. Thomas Comfort. Prior to my hip surgery I could barely walk. Dr. Comfort assured me prior to the surgery there would be instant improvement. I had my surgery performed at the High Point Surgery Center in Lake Elmo and participated in the EXCEL Program. I cannot say enough good things about the positive experience I had at High Point with the surgery and all the staff; I received “excellent” treatment and care. I want to thank Molly, Dr. Comfort’s assistant, for her assistance and her promptness in replying back to me with questions and the rest of the staff members at Twin Cities Orthopedics.

I was sent home the day after my hip surgery with a walker and I’m happy to say I never had to use it once – I was walking on my own! I recovered very well from my surgery and have resumed all activities. Down the road if I need to have my right hip replaced I will definitely consider going through the Excel program again at the High Point Surgery Center.

Thank you Dr. Comfort and all the staff members at Twin Cities Orthopedics and High Point for the excellent care.

I am extremely pleased with the overall process with the whole experience from hospital care to Dr. Comfort and his staff. I cannot find any complaints with the hospital, staff or Dr. Comfort. Before the surgery I was not able to be active with the pain I was having, but since the surgery I have my life back and am living again without pain. This was a life changing experience.

I didn’t need to view my x-rays to know that my knees were totally worn out. A lifetime spent snowshoeing and hiking into the shack, maintaining a huge country yard, and 33 years of outdoor employment in a physically demanding heavy industry told me that something had to be done. I was in constant pain, fun activities had become a burden, and I could no longer perform my job. Knowing that knee replacements were inevitable, I paid close attention to the conversations of friends, co-workers, and their spouses concerning knee replacement surgery. Some were happy with their results, but I heard far too many stories of surgeries gone bad… infections and knees having to be done two or even three times. I didn’t like what I was hearing.

Then I started hearing reports about Twin Cities Orthopedics and their Fairview facility in Wyoming, MN and, in particular, the great work that Dr. Thomas Comfort was performing. After observing how well two co-workers were doing after having their knees replaced by Dr. Comfort, I was interested. When my girlfriend insisted on having her knee replaced by Dr. Comfort and seeing the excellent results, I knew where I was going to have my knees replaced and by whom. My mind was finally made up, and I was totally at ease on the day of my surgeries knowing that I could put my complete confidence in Dr. Comfort and his staff of David, Molly, John, Kent and countless others who made my stay in the Wyoming facility seem more like a vacation at a health spa than a stay in a hospital. From the volunteers to billing, and from scheduling to food service, I was pampered ‘round the clock. I actually looked forward to my second surgery. It was a 100% positive experience.

Physical therapy went so well that my therapist cut the number of my appointments in half. I now have nice straight legs and no longer walk like a duck. No longer do I cuss when I forget something downstairs or across the yard. I simply walk back and get it! I never dreamed that my knees could turn out so well, and I owe it all to the skill of Dr. Comfort and the caring professionals of Twin Cities Orthopedics.

Dr. Comfort, Thank you so very much for my very successful knee replacement! I love my new knee! Before, when I would stand up, I would have to pause to make sure it was in the right position for walking. Now, I just go and don’t even think about it.

I live north of the Twin Cities and don’t like to drive in heavy traffic. I am grateful for your Wyoming, MN clinic and hospital. Having to drive in heavy traffic is one less thing to worry about.

I totally recommend Dr. Comfort to anyone considering knee replacement. All of the hospital staff told me that he is the best doctor for knee replacement, and he is also the physician with the kindest attitude. I worked at a hospital for many years and you get to know which physicians are good, so I believe the staff when they tell me who they recommend.

I would like to thank all of the staff at the clinic and hospital, who were awesome. Everyone was always cheerful and helpful—Physician’s Assistants, Anesthetists, Nursing, Lab, Respiratory, X-Ray, Physical Therapy, Housekeeping, Billing, Front Desk & Others. Molly was exceptional at coordinating everything.

After many months of left knee pain, I finally decided on a replacement. I could not have chosen a better surgeon then Dr. Comfort and his team. I am now pain free and my recovery was quick. Thank you Dr. Comfort. I will visit you again when my right knee decides it is time to go.

Tim Jackson has been a dairyman most of his life. As the years passed, his knees wore out. “Two years ago they were getting so bad that I could hardly navigate anymore,” said Tim. He began to get depressed because it was too painful to continue his work and enjoy an active lifestyle. Tim sought help from providers and had some treatment before finding Twin Cities Orthopedics (TCO). His treatment journey with TCO’s Dr. Thomas Comfort helped him find the solution he was looking for. “It was a positive experience from the beginning,” said Tim. “He painted a whole other picture for my life.”

Click here to watch Tim’s story