Patient Testimonials

I have been heavily involved in Minnesota Special Olympics since I was eight years old and now, I will be turning 30 this month. Last fall, I sprained my ankle at flag football practice. I knew right away that I injured my ankle, so my dad took me to the ER. They did an X-ray and said it wasn’t broken but referred me to Twin Cities Orthopedics. The doctor at TCO Maple Grove ordered an MRI and said it was a bad sprain. I was put in a boot and eventually an ankle brace. The doctor ordered weekly physical therapy which I continued for several weeks. Unfortunately, I was unable to return to flag football that season. I met with the doctor again to check progress, and he continued the PT for a few more weeks just to be make sure everything was fully healed. I was given the go ahead to play but told to go slow.

I am part of Osseo-Maple Grove Athletic Association (OMGAA) teams and play ice hockey with Minnesota Special Hockey. A few weeks into this past season I also took a fall on the ice and injured my hand! I again went to TCO Maple Grove where they did another X-ray, and I was given a brace to wear on wrist. I was still having pain issues, so I returned to TCO and saw a doctor in the hand specialist clinic. He ordered an ultrasound of my wrist, and I have a follow-up appointment with him this week.

I also do gymnastics for MN Special Olympics. Three weeks ago, I injured my back at practice doing the vault. After a week, I was still having a lot of back and leg pain, so I went to TCO again. The doctor ordered an ultrasound of my back, and the results were a herniated disc. I start PT for my back this week. He also ordered a cortisone shot for my spine so I will likely be out from basketball and gymnastics for the season.

During this time, I will work on strengthening my body parts! In addition to playing several sports with MN Special Olympics, I also coach my sister’s bocce ball team in the summer. I have been chosen as an athletic coach for bocce at the USA games that will be held in Minnesota this summer. I am very excited! I went to Seattle in 2018 for the USA games and competed in gymnastics where I came home with five medals. I also was a part of the USA games in Orlando in 2022 for half court women’s basketball. We won a gold medal! I have always felt very supported at TCO and listened to by doctors and therapists. They always thoroughly explain at home exercises and are very clear on when I can return to sports. I am sure with all the sports I play that I will be back to TCO in the future!

Dr. Mittelsteadt performed a subtalar fusion on my foot. I was recommended to see him for this surgery as he came highly recommended by another physician. Dr. Mittelsteadt did not disappoint! In my initial consult, he gave me three options and explained each one very thoroughly. He answered my questions and concerns without hesitation which made me (and my wife) feel very comfortable with our decision. He is always very positive with a smile on his face. If I ever need orthopedic surgery in the future, I will be calling him again. I cannot say enough good things about him as a person or a surgeon.

Dr. Cammack changed my life! After two foot and ankle specialists told me there was no fix for my foot, Dr. Cammack assured me that he could repair three prior surgeries. He thoroughly and clearly explained what he would do to alleviate my pain and make my walking normal again. Dr. Cammack was amazing! He removed the hardware that was making my walking painful and awkward. He realigned my foot and put in new hardware. He was very professional, caring, and friendly. He is a great surgeon with a calming presence and good sense of humor. I always felt like I was in good hands. During my visits to his office, I witnessed how well his team worked together and how they truly listened to their patients. They never shunned my questions. I am very happy with my experience and the positive results. I would highly recommend Dr. Cammack to anyone with foot or ankle issues. He may change your life just as he did mine.

Dr. Chen was very knowledgeable and kind. We did an injection to get me through two upcoming weddings and then discussed surgery for next fall. She helped me understand exactly what I would be facing and she was patient with my questions. The injection was a success in getting me back on my feet for now. I have had two prior injections that didn’t work, but this one did! I has been three weeks an I am still not limping. Woohoo!

Dr. Chen was not my original surgeon when I had elective surgery on my right ankle, however she saw me due to my continued pain since the procedure. She listened attentively to my concerns and recommended a change in my insoles. Although it has not completely taken care of my pain yet, it has been very helpful. I appreciate the way she listened to my concerns and wasn’t dismissive of my situation. If I am not seeing a drastic change in improvement after some time, she indicated there were other options available to help my pain. I would definitely see her again for further care! She was extremely compassionate and instilled confidence.

I broke my ankle in December 2025 and saw Dr. Chen just a few days later. I then was scheduled for an ankle fixation with hardware. Throughout the consultation, surgery, and post-operative appointments, Dr. Chen has been an incredibly compassionate, thoughtful, and knowledgeable partner in my recovery. She spent time answering my questions, ensuring I understood next steps and timelines, and emphasized the ever-important doctor/patient partnership that is so important to a healthy orthopedic surgery recovery. Dr. Chen and her team are awesome, and I would recommend them without hesitation to anyone facing a similar situation!

I would like to recognize Susan Anderson at the TCO Eagan clinic for the extraordinary care she provides. I have been seeing Susan for nearly a year, and during that time she has made a tremendous difference in my ability to manage complex medical conditions and function in my daily life. Susan specializes in lymphedema care, which is how I originally began seeing her. She has helped me tremendously through hand therapy.

Managing complex conditions like mine requires a provider who is both knowledgeable and compassionate, and Susan embodies both in a way I have rarely experienced. What makes Susan truly exceptional is the dedication she brings to helping her patients. She has taken the time to learn about complex connective tissue conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome so she can better support patients like me. Her willingness to understand the full picture of what her patients are experiencing is something that truly sets her apart.

She has helped me navigate insurance to obtain a lymphedema pump and guided me toward the right places to obtain properly fitted compression garments. She consistently helps me think through practical solutions that improve my ability to function day to day. Susan doesn’t simply treat symptoms during appointments. She advocates for her patients and genuinely wants to see them improve. She has even taken time outside of appointments to research ideas and think through solutions that may help support my mobility and comfort.

Living with complex medical conditions can be overwhelming. Susan creates an environment where you feel heard, supported, and hopeful. Susan is the kind of provider every patient hopes to find but rarely does. Because of Susan’s dedication and care, I have been able to navigate a complicated medical situation with more confidence, support, and practical tools to improve my quality of life. Providers like Susan are rare. She is not only an outstanding occupational therapist and hand therapist—she is an extraordinary human being who makes a meaningful difference in the lives of the people she cares for.

Dr. Mittelsteadt and his team provided me with excellent care before, during, and after my foot surgery. The skill and communication made me feel heard and confident in the process. I am very grateful for their expertise.

I was in a severe motorcycle accident in October 2025. I broke my ankle completely backwards and completely crushed my foot, amongst many other injuries. With the top half of my foot broken completely through and moved over one toe spot, Dr. Traynor did all the fine tuning that reconnected the network on the top of my foot. I have been able to move, walk, and feel all my toes again. He is a big reason that I will be able to ride again this coming spring.

I broke my ankle on February 14th, 2025 (yes, it was on Valentine’s Day!). I fell down the stairs and completely cracked my ankle! I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able to walk the same again. I am only 26 years old and have my whole life ahead of me. Dr. Traynor made this experience the best it could have possibly been. He was patient with all my questions, and he addressed all my concerns to the full extent!

It is now almost a year later. After two surgeries and choosing to have the hardware removed, I feel confident that I can walk as good as I did before the accident. I absolutely recommend Dr. Traynor! He made my experience at Twin Cities Orthopedics an amazing one.