Patient Testimonials

I first heard of Dr. Deal through a friend of mine, I was getting treatment in Mankato and I wanted a second opinion. My friend suggested Dr. Deal so my wife contacted his care coordinator, Allyssa, and she said if we could get my records to them by Monday she would be able to schedule an appointment that same day! I jumped at the chance, after two weeks of treatments that weren’t giving me any relief, Dr. Deal looked at my MRI and suggested surgery. I scheduled surgery for the first open date that I could. The surgery was a little more complicated than first thought but they were able to fix the problem that was causing all the pain. In two days I was able to move around almost pain free. I was just so pleased with his bedside manner and his P.A., Nate Schalmo, was just as courteous, answering my questions and concerns. Each follow up appointment was like the first, very in-tune to my questions and concerns. Today was my last follow up (3 months) appointment and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results. I am virtually pain free! Thank you Dr. Deal and your entire team, I don’t believe I could have gotten better care anywhere else.

Thanks again,
M. M.

It’s been a year now since my PKR surgery and my knee looks and feels great! Dr. Arntson is kind, caring and well respected by patients and co-workers. Got questions? He’ll answer them all. He seems rather quiet but tells it like it is. Its ok if you’re not ready for surgery. He will address your fears and maybe you will change your mind, as I did. I look forward to eventually having two good knees with a little help from my favorite surgeon. Dr. Arntson is simply the best and I hope you’ll visit with him to see for yourself why he’s highly recommended.

I am 55 years old and had hip surgery exactly 9 days ago. I cannot sing the praises enough regarding Dr. O’Neill and my experience with the EXCEL program in Eagan, MN. This entire experience from start to finish was excellent. The staff is knowledgeable, caring and efficient. Totally attuned to your needs. Post-surgery I was off narcotics after 3 days. After 9 days, I am able to walk with a cane with minimal pain. Still taking pain medicine but I feel great! I would highly recommend this procedure and the EXCEL program. I previously had my other hip replaced and stayed in a hospital and it was a nightmare. This entire experience has been awesome. I thank God for Dr. O’Neill and his entire staff. Thank you all.

I received a right hip replacement on 9/20/18. I highly recommend Dr. O’Neill and his support staff. Prior to surgery I could barely walk to my mailbox. Immediately after surgery, I walked with a cane for a short time and quickly returned to my activities. I even went downhill skiing 3 1/2 months later in CO. Other friends who had their hip replaced by the posterior method were in more pain and took a lot longer to recover. One year after surgery, I hiked 200 miles of the El Camino Pilgrimage in Northern Spain. And, did I mention I’m 77 years old?

I want to tell the world about the great experience I had with Dr. Owen O’Neill, Ann Sugrue (care coordinator), and all staff members for my hip replacement! These people are amazing, qualified professionals. They really do care and want to help provide the best service – great teamwork! I did a lot of research and talked to my friends that are in the nursing field to choose a surgeon and Dr. Owen O’Neill just kept coming up. I went to his  website and reviews and then set up my appointment. I am SO happy I did. The whole process is set up for success. They have prep/pre-surgery class that you attend with your coach so they know what the surgery is all about and how to assist you when you get home. It has a full booklet with steps and photos of the procedure and helpful checklists to make it simple. I had surgery in the morning, went across the street to the ortho care suite for overnight and then went home in less than 24 hours. They have the best system in place with the billing of your insurance carrier as all of your surgery is billed on one invoice. I referred 3 friends to Dr. O’Neill and will keep referring to him! Thanks so much Dr. O’Neill!!

My hip replacement went off without a hitch. I was up and walking the afternoon following surgery. Within two weeks I was walking a half mile a day. Within three weeks, 2 to 3 miles a day. Dr. O’Neill and his staff answered all my questions. The care staff at Fairview hospital was outstanding. My whole experience was very positive.

I have been seeing Dr. Gary Sager for a year now. I had a left total hip replacement a year ago and I am 100% pain free and walk normal with absolutely no kind of limp. He and his staff are amazing! I was so scared to have surgery and tried all kinds of alternatives before finally biting the bullet and scheduling my surgery. Dr. Sager is very thorough and so compassionate! I cannot say enough good things about him and his staff. Thank you for giving my life and well-being back to me!

Sincerely,
Carol

Dr. Crowe was able to repair my broken left femur. It was a very bad break. Previously, my doctor from the VA told me if I ever broke my leg that I would never walk and probably end up in a nursing home, bed ridden. I was told no pins or rods could be installed to prevent the leg from more damage or breaking.

The night I went to the ER, after my fall, I talked to my surgeon, Dr. Crowe. He assured me he could have me walking in approximately 4 weeks. I am now getting around with a cane, moving slow, but I’m moving including walking stairs! When I first get up after sitting or lying down for a while, I’m very stiff. After a short period of time, I’m moving around with very little pain. I just take my time and walk slowly. As of today, not much has changed, I still have swelling and some pain, but I am still getting around and doing things that I thought I would never be able to do any more, including living in my own home. Thanks to Dr. Crowe, I feel I have a future now and hope to continue my life independently. My plans are to never give up.

After months of pain from lifting a sofa while moving and hearing a “pop” and feeling immediate weakness in my shoulder, I sought out Dr. Hartman, who had done numerous shoulder surgeries on parents of students whom I teach (mainly torn rotator cuff). I suspected a rotator cuff injury, but Dr. Hartman ordered an MRI and diagnosed a labrum tear. He prescribed physical therapy and my PT was fantastic! I attended every appointment, faithfully did my exercises at home and worked through the pain (yes, there were tears, but I was motivated to have as much use of my shoulder as possible!). After I “graduated” from PT, I continued to lift very light weights and use stretchy bands that my PT suggested at LifeTime Fitness. Years later, I still have NO problems with my shoulder and it’s just as strong as my other one! I can work out, lift weights and do Pilates without any problem. I’ve also learned how to protect my shoulders by carrying heavy objects in a different way so this does not occur again. Dr. Hartman combines the expertise and knowledge of being board certified with a comfortable bedside manner and treated me with respect. He gave me straightforward answers and told me what I needed to do to avoid surgery. Everything he suggested worked and I have recommended him to others!

I am a 52 year old male who is very active and also an ex-college wrestler. I put up with my hip pain for a few years just toughing it out and taking Advil. I exhausted every avenue to delay or rehab my hip. I had seen Dr. Holm for a shoulder injury years prior and was very impressed by his thoroughness and honesty. So when it was time to have the hip done, he was my first choice, both from prior experience as well as trusted referrals. Dr. Holm uses a robotic assist which helps place the new hip more accurately.

I had my total hip replacement (left hip) done at the MN Valley Surgery Center in Burnsville, MN. The staff was great and had me on my feet as soon as I was out of recovery. I had minimal discomfort and no issues with any of the incisions.

Mile stones:
Walking same day as surgery
Walking stairs first day after surgery
Walking with cane 4 days after surgery
No pain meds besides Advil 6 days post-surgery
Driving 8 days post-surgery (wife wouldn’t let me any earlier)
No assist walking 13 days post-surgery
Exercise recumbent bike 21 days post-surgery
Moderate cardio on exercise bike 30 days post-surgery
I did do my physical therapy as prescribed every day

The home care nurse who stops to check on you for the first three days did send me to the emergency room because she thought I looked pale and had a slight fever. She also notified Dr. Holm’s office. To my wife and I’s surprise, while sitting in the ER room, the curtain opens and Dr. Holm walks in to check on me. The small spike in fever was completely unrelated to the surgery. But how many doctors would drive to a different hospital to check on a patient? I will likely need the other hip replaced and I will definitely be going back to Dr. Holm.