Patient Testimonials

Dr. Bircher recently performed my left knee replacement surgery. Last January, he performed my right knee replacement. Both surgeries went very well. Dr. Bircher is an excellent and caring surgeon. My recovery went without any issues, and I was back to normal in about eight weeks. I followed all the directions regarding medications and physical therapy. I am 100% pleased with the outcomes of both surgeries.

Dr. Bircher and Twin Cities Orthopedics are best in class. The supporting staff including the surgical team, nurses, physical therapists are confident, efficient, caring, and friendly. I stayed overnight at the EXCEL care facility and that team is so good at what they do. They are such happy people. A stationary bike in home was offered, and I decided to try it. I was advised that using the bike as prescribed can cut recovery time in half. Dr. Bircher could monitor my progress and determine when I could transfer to each level. I can already tell it makes a difference. I used the “Nice” machine for both surgeries and I maked it so easy to do icing as prescribed.

I had my right knee replaced two years ago at another medical facility which was my mistake. For my left knee, I changed my insurance, so I was able could go to Twin Cities Orthopedics. I had my surgery on June 9, 2026 with Dr. Bircher. By the end of the first week, I didn’t need a walker or cane. My surgery was such a huge success! The EXCEL team was amazing! The moment I walked into the Plymouth Orthopedic Surgery Center, I felt I was in good hands. My Physical therapy was great and I finished it in only six weeks! I will be heading back next summer to see Dr. Bircher and fix my other knee. I would highly recommend TCO to everyone!

I received a hip replacement by Dr. Bircher and his team a few months after my husband died. I had been experiencing pain in my right hip, knee, and groin while giving care to my husband, but I didn’t realize my condition was strictly due to my hip. I was able to get prompt surgery after being expertly diagnosed by Dr. Bircher. I am 85 years old and live with my labradoodle, Roger. I was able to return home after a one-day hospital stay with the EXCEL program and was surprised how easily I was able to manage myself and Roger with only a few assists from my son.

I live on nine acres of land which was my husband’s outdoor kingdom. I didn’t think I would be able to maintain it and that I would have to move. However, I convalesced quickly and have no hip pain. I have been able to do much of the yard work and continue to live here with some outdoor help. I don’t think I would have been able to stay in our home and be this active again without such a good surgical outcome. I am very grateful for the opportunity I now have to continue living in my home for as long as possible. A big thank you to Dr. Bircher and his team!

My procedure with Dr. Carlson was great! I really appreciated the EXCEL program since I didn’t have to go home the evening of my surgery. It was lovely to be able to use the constant ice machine. Being able to walk as often as I wanted with someone who was able to keep a professional eye on me was very nice. It also gave the nurses a chance to do some alterations to my meds before I went home. Since all my questions were answered during my stay, I went home completely comfortable with handling my own care.

During my first meeting with Dr. O’Neill, he showed me the parts he would be using to perform my hip surgery and thoroughly explained the process. His team got in touch with me and discussed the EXCEL Program they use. They helped sign me up for a PT session with a therapist. After that session, I had a complete understanding of the whole process. Dr. O’Neill’s team also mailed me an EXCEL booklet that covered everything about my hip replacement so I could refer to it if I forgot anything.

The day of the surgery went exactly as it was described to me. The entire staff worked together well and the whole process was seamless. The first night I spent at the Omni Hotel for recovery was also a great experience. Way better and cleaner than a hospital! I would highly recommend Dr. O’Neill, TCO, and their EXCEL program to anyone. I am no longer in pain, and I can walk drastically better than I did before my surgery. Thank you to Dr. O’Neill and TCO staff!

I had both hips replaced by Dr. Samuel Carlson within a nine-month period. I waited longer before having the first side done in June 2025 because I had never had surgery before. I was hesitant so I tried an injection and physical therapy first until the pain became too debilitating. Once I had the surgery done, the recovery was so quick and easy that I didn’t wait as long to have the second side done in April 2026.

My recovery from the second surgery was even faster than the first. I am so happy with the results! I didn’t realize just how limiting it was to live with chronic pain and loss of mobility until it was lifted entirely. I can now do all the things you want to do again. I highly recommend Dr. Carlson and his team, including his PA-C, Jake Szalat, Care Coordinator, Melissa. Thank you to everyone who helped with my pre-op and post-op experience at TCO and the EXCEL Program at the Care Suites.

I am 62 years old and have been dealing with knee pain for many years. I tore my ACL 38 years ago, and had three torn meniscus tears, bone on bone arthritis, and floating bone fragments in my left knee. I never had any surgeries to fix these issues in the past. After the last meniscus tears, and an MRI, I went in to see Dr. Saterbak. She was recommended to me from a few different people that I play Senior Softball with. When she reviewed my MRI, she told me, “Let’s not try to fix this one, let’s just give you a new knee”. Our first visit was great, as she shared what she was seeing and what the procedure would be like. I had all the confidence in the world in her. All the pre-surgery information was incredible! This included a 60-page document that covered pre-surgery, during surgery, and post-surgery information and recommendations. It was fantastic!

She recommended using the EXCEL program. What a great suggestion that was! Everything is all included in one program from pre-surgery, post-surgery, and physical therapy. The stay at the Omni Hotel was top notch! Better than any hospital stay could possibly be for recovery. The staff was fantastic. The accommodations were beautiful. Everything was just as I needed it to be.

Now let’s talk about how the procedure went and how my recovery has gone. The procedure was great, with little to no pain in my knee from day one. There was a lot of swelling and bruising as that was to be expected, but I think most of that came from the tourniquet used in the procedure. I already had a measured 90° bend and 0° straightness during the first night at the Omni with the TCO staff. I did a lot of walking that night too and everything felt great. I used a walker only that first night and then moved to a cane which only lasted for another couple days. The PT at TCO Vadnais Heights has gone great. Every trip to see them has had improved results and my expectations have been exceeded throughout the entire process. I am now at five weeks post-surgery, my PT is nearly done. My last measurement was 127° Bend and -3° and straightness.

Everything has gone better than I could have ever expected! Why did I wait so long to see someone? I would highly recommend Dr. Saterbak and her team if anyone is considering or needing a knee replacement. On a scale of one to ten, I would have to give them an eleven or higher. Thank you to TCO and Dr. Saterbak’s team for providing such outstanding medical service and care. This was as good of an experience as I could get!

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Dr. Bircher and his team. I had a total knee replacement in January 2026 and was feeling understandably nervous beforehand. Dr. Bircher immediately put me at ease with his kindness, confidence, and exceptional skill. His caring demeanor made such a difference, and the prayer he offered before surgery was something I truly appreciated. It brought me comfort and peace right when I needed it most

My care after surgery was just as impressive. The staff at EXCEL were exceptional! They were kind, attentive, and encouraging throughout my recovery. The team at Twin Cities Orthopedics were also wonderful and made every step of the process smooth and reassuring. I would highly recommend getting the Berg ice/compression machine as it was incredibly helpful during recovery and made a big difference in managing discomfort.

I also want to mention Jamie in Dr. Bircher’s office, who was amazing to work with. She was always helpful, answered my questions promptly, and went above and beyond with paperwork, especially navigating the new Minnesota paid leave process. I highly recommend Dr. Bircher to anyone considering knee replacement surgery. The level of compassion, professionalism, and support I received from Dr. Bircher and his entire team was outstanding!

I had a total hip replacement on February 5th, 2026. I am about seven-weeks out of surgery and I feel fantastic. I am already swinging a golf club and getting back into my normal workout routines. The best part is that I am doing all my daily activities without pain for the first time in years! I am no longer thinking about how I’m going to bend down to pick something up, or how I’m going to put socks on and tie my shoes. I can just do it! Dr. Schmiesing and his team did an excellent job. The EXCEL program was seamless. Everything was well organized, from pre-op to the day of surgery to post-op. I would highly recommend Dr. Schmiesing, his team, and TCO!

I had a total knee replacement by Dr. Saterbak and her team one year ago. I would prefer to not need to do this again, but if I do need my other knee replaced, I will go straight back to Dr. Saterbak. She and her team clearly and carefully answered all my questions about the procedure. They were there to guide me through every step of the process. As a result of such excellent care, I recovered within a few months and was able to resume my active life. Six months after the surgery, I completed a ten-mile hike through hills on narrow forest paths. I owe a lot of this success to their superb skill and experience, especially Dr. Saterbak. I am grateful to her, Maren, Nick, and the EXCEL care team for such magnificent care.