Patient Testimonials

In the fall of 2020, I was walking across my deck with an extension cord and tripped over the cord end. As I lay on the sidewalk assessing for possible damage, I rotated my leg left and right. Unfortunately, my right foot looked like it had quit, as my toes remained pointing skyward. I had made it to the age of 72 without breaking any bones. We were assigned to Dr. Ockuly and his team. My wife and I were introduced to Dani, who is Dr. Ockuly’s Care Coordinator. If we had any questions or concerns, Dani called back incredibly quickly and was very professional. If she didn’t have the answer, she found out and called us back promptly. During the consultation, we shared our faith life with Dr. Ockuly, who responded in kind. This deepened the relationship greatly and added significantly to the trust between patient and doctor.

Sometime after that, my wife was involved in a car accident. I drove to the emergency room and met her there after the EMTs had arrived. Lo and behold…she had unfortunately broken her arm and wrist. These were the first broken bones for her as well. During a break in the action, I slipped outside and left a message with Dani. She quickly called me back, and we scheduled an appointment with Dr. Ockuly again. I was so grateful to have his team help me get scheduled on the spot.

In my retirement, I took a job as a school bus driver. I am blessed with wonderful kids on my route, and they make me happy. One part of my job I did not like was taking the 200-yard walk from the base office to my bus, and the same walk again at the end of my shift. My arthritic knees made the journey so painful. This summer, Dr. Ockuly and his team replaced both knees. WOW! Though some discomfort remains, I am taking long, confident strides. At my follow-up appointment this week, I told Dr. Ockuly, “Thank you for using your God-given gifts to repair me so I could share my God-given gifts with others!” At that point, Dr. Ockuly offered me a tissue as I was starting to tear up! As I left, I thanked Dani profusely and received a hug from Annie, who invited us to her church to see their adoration chapel. My incisions are healing very well, and my final knee X-rays proved the surgery was perfect.

Thanks a million, Twin Cities Orthopedics for your specialized Urgent Care facility. I had unbearable pain for three days and was blessed to discover TCO and its staff. From registration to X-rays to evaluation and treatment, the process was superb.

Our family has seen Dr. Eggert for more than one broken bone as we have 4 very active children. Our daughter broke her leg skiing in 2022, and her wrist later that year, and our son recently broke his wrist skateboarding. The most recent injury led us to the new TCO Urgent Care in Excelsior. I cannot express my amazement on how quickly they were able to see my son, x-ray his wrist, and promptly get him in a splint. It was the most efficient urgent care experience of my life, in addition to being well cared for. We followed up with Dr. Eggert to get casted the following week and he was knowledgeable, patient, and pragmatic — everything you want in an orthopedic physician. We can’t recommend him enough along with all the TCO facilities.

Dr. Vargas was excellent!

I went to urgent care at TCO Vadnais Heights because I slipped and fell down my stairs. Dr. Vargas was on-site for clinic that day, and he was able to squeeze me into his schedule.

He was direct and kind, and he also communicated the urgency to resolve the physical trauma quickly. He was able to schedule foot and ankle surgery for me in two days with him. I’ve found out subsequent to this that for many people, it can take weeks to get in for surgery!

Although I was nervous at how all of this was unfolding so quickly (Wednesday urgent care, and Friday surgery), it was the best decision I made for my health to get the surgery. He was able to answer my questions, stay connected with me prior to surgery, and was attentive. My healing and recovery are going really well, and it’s been less than one week since my surgery.

If you want someone who “tells it like it is,” gives you solid, fact-based advice, cares for his patients, and is an expert in his field, then Dr. Vargas is your surgeon. I’ll be recommending him to my family and friends, should they need a podiatrist surgeon.

I really appreciated the friendly smiles and explanation of steps. The physician assistant and the x-ray tech introduced who they were and explained what they were going to do— I really appreciated that. Jessie explained my x-ray results and we had a great discussion. She answered my questions and lifted up the physical therapists and how they will be able to teach and explain more to me with their depth of Kinesiology knowledge. I’m excited for my PT appointment to learn how best to help heal what my problem is today and how to prevent it in the future. Jessie listened closely to my questions and answered appropriately. I feel I had a say in my care and treatment. Thank you to my aunt who referred me to the Urgent Care in Forest Lake for my issue— she was right, there was no wait and I received EXCELLENT care! Kudos to Jessie the PA, the x-ray tech, and the friendly front desk staff Kari and the other gal! Thank you!

I (mom) recently used TCO for knee care and rheumatology, all experiences were great. I wish I had skipped the visit to the ER and went to orthopedic urgent care. When my son got injured, we came straight to TCO Forest Lake!

We would highly recommend Twin Cities Orthopedic Forest Lake, we received exceptional care from the orthopedic urgent care team, including the front desk gal and Aaron. They were so professional and caring and got us in and out so quickly. We were amazed at the great care we received! Thank You!

My knee was so painful I couldn’t walk. The woman working at the urgent care front desk at TCO Forest Lake came out with a wheelchair to bring me inside. She did everything she could do to make me as comfortable as possible while I waited. I was the only patient waiting and was seen very quickly. I had x-rays, was examined and got a cortisone shot. My condition and next steps were explained clearly so I know exactly what happened as well as next steps in treatment. Everyone was so kind during my visit!

I’ve been to TCO facilities before but this was the first time I needed orthopedic urgent care. Every time I am under their care from the moment I come in the door I am treated like a valuable individual human being. Every person I encounter or interact with is kind, attentive, and very intelligent. Their staff are engaged and have a self respect that generates a confidence and pride in their work which translates into excellent efficient care for me. I would trust and have trusted them with my life. The knowledge that their medical care system is supporting and producing high quality, intelligent, people who are happy in their job and work environment makes me feel good about our future as a society.

We had gone immediately to the closest emergency room by us, which is still 45 minutes when Jessica got hurt. The ER staff were rough with her and made her anxious. I, her mom, was anxious and mad. Two and a half hours later they said nothing broken and to go home. I Googled and TCO Urgent Care and needed answers for my daughter’s injury. Right away the TCO Forest Lake staff were smiling and helpful with our questions and getting her set up to see someone. Free beverages, clean, and bright atmosphere! The staff were informative during the exam, x-rays, and treatment. My daughter said, ‘I like this place and I’m ok coming back!’ The staff handled a worried mom and shy hurt girl well! Thank you all!!!