Patient Testimonials

I had an amazing experience with the EXCEL Program. Steph, EXCEL RN Coordinator’s, initial phone call was caring and considerate. She arranged for an orientation to see the recovery suites with Leah Zimmerman, EXCEL Program Director, and we were so relieved and pleased. Leah was so gracious, open to answering every concern and question, and so delightfully reassuring. I also attended the pre-surgery education class. The class was so helpful and important to attend.

After my knee replacement surgery, I was taken to my room. Lauren and Caryn, my Registered Nurses, were delightful, joyful, and skilled in every way. They were personable and answered any question I had. I felt encouraged and amazed at how much I could do already, with expert coaching and support. It was such a pleasure and relief to see Dr. Scott Anseth after my procedure. He described what he did for my knee and that I should not be surprised by the bruising. I enjoyed how he demonstrated the importance of being able to straighten my leg and bend my knee when I am ready. I was so reassured that I made the right decision and that I was in the best hands for care.

My recovery continued at home with check-ins. Any “speed bump” I encountered was met with acceptance, compassion, and effective problem solving. The reception desk folks at physical therapy were always cheerful, helpful and respectful. Shoutout to all my therapists for those pre-operative exercises. Heidi, Sarah, and Jordan, were significant in my recovery.

I continue to feel so grateful for this opportunity to enhance my quality of life with a new knee. Every detail was covered every step of the way with a multitude of skills and talents, along with personal care and concern for me. Thank you, TCO!

Dr. Mittelsteadt and his staff were amazing. I tell everybody about him and TCO. I could not imagine having a better experience. If I ever have to have surgery again I’m going back to TCO! I stayed at the EXCEL Care Suites for a night. Recovering was really nice and the nurses were amazing there too. Thank you so much to TCO for a great experience on something I was regretting. It was not bad at all.

I was having a lot of lower back pain, with sciatica pain in the buttocks and down both legs and mostly on right side. I started treatment with Dr. Megan Rhyner. Some days I felt better than others. The injection started to feel better but that only lasted a week. So we proceeded to the next step and I met with Dr. Wanderman. I thought surgery would be a better option and boy it was a great choice. Immediately after surgery, the pain and sciatica pain disappeared. I recovered in the Eagan EXCEL Care Suites and had nothing but great care from TCO. I have nothing but great results from the surgery and have had great checkups with Dr. Wanderman. I’m coming up on my 6 month checkup and I believe all lifting restrictions will be taken away. If you are looking for a great doctor and team, Dr. Wanderman would be the ticket for great results.

My left knee issues started close to a year ago, so I started seeing Dr. Lewis some time ago. We tried everything we could do to avoid surgery, however in order to resolve the remaining issue with the knee, I had Dr. Lewis replace my left knee some 5 weeks ago. The whole experience in the EXCEL program has been a first-rate affair. The surgery, the after care, the physical therapy, and just today I had my 6-week review with Dr Lewis. I’m pleased to report that the recovery plan has probably put me ahead of schedule!

I’m a very active person in general and Dr. Lewis has supported me in my effort to get back to a normal life.

If I have to replace my right knee down the road, Dr. Lewis will be my surgeon, no if or buts about it!!

Dr. Knowlan and his team are nothing short of amazing. My hips and knees were bone on bone and several friends recommended him to me. Normally these procedures would take 4 years, replacing one per year. I didn’t want to deal with it that long, and Dr. Knowlan did all four procedures within a 9 month period. I’m now able to do things I haven’t been able to do for years, like going up and down stairs, crossing my legs, sitting cross legged, and putting on my socks by myself. These things are no big deal to the average person, but a very big deal to someone who can’t do them. I don’t need my scooter or walker anymore. I couldn’t be happier with the results. The team at Eagan Orthopedic Surgery Center and the EXCEL Care Suites were also amazing. I felt like I was treated like royalty. I would do this again in a heartbeat, though I wouldn’t recommend doing the surgeries so close together. I’ve dealt with chronic pain most of my life since I have scoliosis, so the recovery pain wasn’t that big of a deal for me.

My injury came from stepping onto a step stool. I went to urgent care and was told see an orthopedic doctor. TCO was the only provider I could get in to see someone within a couple days instead of weeks. Dr. Bircher was very attentive and evaluated my knee and talked through my options. I went with the injection but after some months the pain returned and I decided with Dr. Bircher’s guidance to have total knee replacement. I cannot say enough about how smooth the surgery and recovery went. The EXCEL Program was wonderful and the physical therapists, Kristina and Jared, were the best. At 3 months post-surgery I am walking 4 miles a day and feel great. Thank you Dr. Bircher!

I have one word – AMAZING! I have never met a more caring, professional care team all the way around. I had both knees replaced 8 weeks apart this summer. Dr. Arntson walked me through everything and made sure I was comfortable with the plan. The process of scheduling and the EXCEL program is hands down the BEST experience I have ever had. I felt very prepared going into surgery. By 6 weeks on both knees, I was walking without assistance and exceeded my flexion and extension goals. It is not as scary as people make it out to be. For the first time in 25+ years I have no pain. He has changed my life and I will forever be grateful to him and all the care team members!

Dr. Bircher is the best! I’d been fighting a knee replacement for years. When I met him in November, I knew my knee was pretty bad. We talked about knee replacement but he could tell I wasn’t ready. He told me I would know when I was ready. That reality hit me in February of this year. I couldn’t have asked for better results after the surgery. I was accepted into the TCO EXCEL Program, which I strongly suggest you try if you are able to. The nursing staff was exceptional at the hospital right after surgery as were the nurses at the Recovery Suites. The EXCEL nurse coordinator kept in contact with me to make sure all was well. Everyone involved was great.

Before I had my surgery, I told Dr. Bircher all I wanted was to be able to come back and tell him that I wish I had done the surgery sooner. I was happy to oblige! I am now scheduled for a total knee replacement on my other knee. I know not all surgeries have the same results but I am counting on Dr. Birchers skill to pull it out! Dr. Bircher always made sure he answered all my questions and spent as much time with me as I needed to feel comfortable. He is concerned, compassionate and very skilled. That is not something you find in too many doctors/surgeons these days. I look forward to a normal life again!

I am one month out from a total hip replacement through the TCO EXCEL program. From the start of my visit at TCO Stillwater Orthopedic Urgent Care, to check-in at the High Pointe Surgical Center, and finally on to my ride down from the EXCEL Care Suites at the Omni Hotel at Viking Lakes, I found each step of the process nothing short of an incredible display of excellence. Every person I encountered from start to finish exhibited such passion for their work. At each stop, my physical and emotional needs were attended to with great care.

From the time Dr. Meisterling recommended surgery and told me my journey in the EXCEL program would be a successful one, I felt I was in the right place. Of course he was spot on! I felt more at ease undergoing this major surgery then I have with some dental work. I like to think that if you saw me now, you would not believe I am a hip replacement patient. Am I pleased? I AM. I feel blessed to have come upon TCO, Dr. Meisterling and the EXCEL program. Consider me delighted with the program, the people, the process and the success!

I had a fast recovery and only took over the counter pain meds after I went home following my anterior approach hip replacement with Dr. Arntson. After surgery, I was able to walk the same day and only needed a cane after one week. At five weeks, I could walk on my own.

15 years ago, I had a posterior hip replacement and recovery was much longer. Anterior approach is the way to go.

The EXCEL program rocks!