Patient Testimonials

I am so thankful for Dr. Conner doing a successful surgery to replace my worn out left hip in August, 2017. Also with this surgery, he was able to lengthen my life-long short left leg. His knowledge and skills for this surgery have brought me freedom from pain and mobility for my daily activities. Now one year following the surgery, I am able to be out planting flowers and help mow our yard. I am also thankful for his referral for physical therapy to help my body adjust to the changes from surgery.

Thanks to Shawn and all her work to set up the surgery and answer questions.

This was my second surgery with Dr. Conner. I am pleased with my treatment and care, and will continue seeing him for my orthopedic concerns.

Dr. Conner has replaced both a knee and a hip for me with no problems whatsoever. He listened to my concerns, offered options for treatment from least invasive to total replacement, and proceeded with my requests. I will be back for another hip replacement with all the confidence in a successful procedure.

I went to my family doctor with a lot of pain in my right hip. He right away referred me to Twin Cities Orthopedics and Dr. Owen O’Neill. He said that if his mother had a bad hip, this was the doctor he wanted her to see. Dr. O’Neill took x-rays and examined me and said the hip would only get worse in time and that I should let him replace it. As it was, I could no longer golf or drive without using my hand under my right knee to lift my foot from the gas pedal to the break and vice versa. I couldn’t do stairs!

Still, I put off surgery for a while and when I could no longer stand the pain, I put aside my fears of surviving surgery (at my age of 77) and asked him to help me. He replaced my hip and after 2 days I was home on a walker. 10 days later walking around my house with a cane and then on my next visit, I was walking on my own just like my old self. NO CANE and NO LIMP. J Soon playing golf with my friends and teenage grandchildren.

I just had my 5 year re-check and am doing fine. I will see Dr. O’Neill in another 5 years. Oh yeah, I have a very small almost invisible scar on the front of my right thigh at hip level. We are blessed to have Twin Cities Orthopedics here in our area and of course Dr. Owen O’Neill.

Sincerely and gratefully,

Constance S.

I endured painful exercises for nearly two years as my physical therapist attempted various approaches to relieve my pain. I was shocked when my therapist informed me that I needed hip replacement surgery. I spent hours researching hip replacement surgery and was interested in the Anterior Approach. Testimonials for Dr. Owen O’Neill on TCO’s website impressed me, and I scheduled an appointment with him.

Dr. O’Neill reviewed my x-rays showing deterioration of the left hip cartilage resulting in bone-on-bone. He thoroughly explained the Anterior Approach Hip Replacement, and I scheduled surgery. The mandatory class at Fairview Southdale was helpful, and the pre-surgery exercises were beneficial.

The entire experience has been amazing. A few hours after surgery, I used my walker for a short walk to the nurses station. I then asked my nurse if we could walk further as I was thoroughly enjoying this without any pain. I went home the next day with no therapy, other than walking, and no restrictions, other than dancing the “Twist”.

While at home, I only used my walker for three days. I then discarded my cane after tripping on it during the first two minutes of usage. I proceeded to carefully walk around the house without assistance. I had pain medication – 1/2 tablet twice daily – for maybe 10 days. I didn’t even need Tylenol after that.

Life is good! At 77 years of age, I continue my daily 40 minutes of treadmill in addition to unlimited activities keeping me more than busy! I only experience a small amount of swelling after the treadmill, but no stiffness or pain. A special “Thanks” to Dr. Owen O’Neill and his amazing staff, Jessie and Ann. The front desk has also been exceptionally friendly and efficient. Yes, I anticipate future pain in my other hip and a repeat of this amazing procedure.

This was the second hip replacement. The first replacement (done by another provider) was good. This one by Dr. Arntson on my left hip was great. I recovered faster with less pain than the first. Sincerely thankful for the kind care.

I am a veteran that has suffered injuries from military service. I have had two surgical procedures done at TCO in the past and have been extremely pleased in both cases. They were not pushy and spent the time to consult with me, discuss options and answer all my questions to my satisfaction. In May of 2018, I started to have a lot of pain in my hip and in July I had both x-ray and MRI completed at the Veterans Administration showing that I had a “bone on bone” situation and needed surgery. My wife and I met with Dr. Robert Knowlan at TCO and he had another x-ray done to confirm the VA’s findings. I was very concerned about hip surgery as I had heard about a painful and extended recovery period from that procedure. Dr. Knowlan explained that by doing a procedure known as the anterior hip replacement that I would be up and walking in two days. Dr. Knowlan spent a lot of time with us and provided a lot of assurance. We decided to go ahead with the surgery. Everything went just as he said. Dr. Knowlan met with us after the surgery and the next day to “check-up” as well. We couldn’t ask for more. I was out of the hospital after one day and walking without a cane in two weeks. If I had to do it again…Dr. Knowlan would be my guy! We would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Knowlan to others in need.

A couple of years ago, at age 71, I started having some discomfort in my hip. During my annual physical, asked my family physician to take an x-ray. It showed some arthritis developing, but not significant. Decided then to undergo physical therapy and I religiously performed the exercises prescribed, but with little to no benefit. Slowed down on walking frequency and speed and stopped playing pickleball.

The following spring, I saw Dr. Owen O’Neill who gave me an injection into my hip and I felt almost immediate relief. Went back to walking and playing pickleball, but again experienced discomfort within a couple of months. I opted for Dr. O’Neill because he had performed surgery on my wife’s knees and I had seen him previously for other joint issues, that didn’t require surgery.

Then I went back to Dr. O’Neill earlier this year thinking that I needed a second injection. Additional x-rays and an MRI, along with only a three month beneficial response to the first injection indicated I should consider a hip replacement, much to my chagrin. My choice seemed to be to either live with the discomfort until it became unbearable or proceed with the operation as soon as possible while still in good health. I opted to proceed with the operation now.

Dr. O’Neill and his staff were outstanding throughout the process. They met with me numerous times to answer questions and explain what would happen during and after surgery. I also attended a 3 hour joint replacement class at Fairview Southdale Hospital in advance of surgery and then followed their advance exercise instructions.

My surgery and recovery were uneventful – just the way I had hoped. I walked within a few hours of surgery and was discharged the following day. There was discomfort, as you might expect after surgery, but I actually noticed improvement each day. I used a walker the first few days and shifted to a cane within a week. I discontinued the cane within a month following the surgery. Six weeks after surgery I was walking a three mile route a couple of times a week. Two months after surgery, I started some strengthening exercises and have continued walking. An added benefit seems to be the disappearance of some back pain I had been enduring before surgery.

Dr O’Neill performs hip surgeries employing an anterior approach, eliminating the need to damage muscles and significantly improving the speed of recovery. I would highly recommend anyone thinking they may need hip surgery to see Dr. O’Neill for an evaluation and potential hip replacement.

I am very happy and pleased with my anterior total hip replacement surgery and the aftercare. Dr. Arntson is a great surgeon who really cares.

This was the second hip that Dr. Szalapski has replaced for me and I could not of asked for better care! He is a very concerned physician and Kathryn Wilson PA is super! I would recommend him to anybody!

Dr. Szalapski – fabulous job, well done. I’m so pleased with everything about the process. All my questions were answered and I feel great. Thanks to his great job.