Patient Testimonials

I am 82 years old and had my hip surgery on July 17, 2020. I received lot of information on how to prepare for surgery and what to expect afterwards. Surgery went well and I was out of the hospital the next day. I was given exercises to perform and didn’t need any other therapy. I also was given adequate pain medication during and after the procedure. I was up and walking almost immediately. I only needed a walker for 3 days and a cane for 10 days. It takes some time for pain from exercise to heal to but each day improves. After 6 to 8 weeks there has been no pain and no restrictions on movements. I have more flexibility now than I had before surgery. I would do it again and I definitely recommend Dr. Owen O’Neill.

My experience with Dr. Chris Meyer at TCO was truly extraordinary, and I am very grateful for his expertise and competence on the operating table, during after-care appointments, and for the long-term follow-up support.

Dr. Meyer is an excellent surgeon and came highly recommended to me by a personal friend, who is also a physician. I had a great deal of confidence because of the three-word recommendation from my friend: “There’s nobody better.”

Dr. Meyer and his staff were professional, thorough, careful to explain steps and expectations, and personally made me feel important. The communication was always precise, and I was able to clearly understand steps, projected length of surgery, recovery time and other pertinent details regarding physical therapy and care at home. Dr. Meyer showed me x-rays of my new right hip and my other hip replacement that was done about 15 years earlier and explained the differences. He informed me that I would have more flexibility in my new hip because of research and technological advances.

I am sticking with these three words: “There’s nobody better!”

I can’t say enough good things about the whole process I went through on my recent right Mako Robotic Hip Replacement compared to the old school hip replacement I had done 12 years ago on the left side. I had an amazing recovery time with my most recent hip replacement. I was up and walking around with a cane the day after the surgery and able to take short walking steps around the living room at home on the second day without the cane. Dr. Horazdovsky and his care team are amazing as well as the support team at Minnesota Valley Surgery Center in Burnsville. Best minimally invasive hip replacement anyone could go through. The more you get up and walk the faster you heal, at first you experience joint stiffness in the morning till about noon and as time goes on you experience less stiffness in the mornings. Walking on it is the key to recovery length. In my 3rd week of recovery I was up to walking about 2-3 miles in the morning and on my 5th week I was able to go back to work and stand for 10hrs a day behind CNC Machines as a machinist. 6 weeks later, I hardly ever feel anything anymore, maybe a sore hip muscle twitch now and then getting into my pickup truck, but that’s about it at 59 years old.

I’m 58 and was experiencing the debilitating pain that comes with bone-on-bone anatomy in the right hip. I felt ancient beyond my years, hobbling around with one leg an inch shorter than the other. Dr. Owen O’Neill was highly recommended to me by my internist, and I liked the idea that he was skilled in the less-invasive anterior approach. He performed the surgery on June 5, 2020, and I am thrilled with the results! I instantly felt solid in my stance and very stable, and I was walking and climbing stairs the next day. Pain after surgery was easily managed with Tylenol. Two of my siblings who had hip replacement surgery via the posterior approach (with other surgeons) had more pain, longer scars, and longer recovery times. Sincere thanks to Dr. O’Neill, Mitch, and the entire TCO staff for restoring my mobility and giving me my life back. I’m buzzing around the neighborhood now with my dog and riding my exercise bike again. Feels fantastic! One more thing, the Care Suite overnight was fabulous. Comfy bed and recliner, top-notch nursing care and PT education. Covid-19 safety measures were excellent and reassuring. Way to go, TCO.

I’m so lucky Dr. Lewis was on duty when I fell ice skating and fractured my right femur. He is kind and caring and has a lot of expertise. My leg has three big pins, but feels normal with no more pain. I was a lucky person.

In July of 2019, I was suffering from what was thought to be additional spine issues but I ended up needing both of my hips replaced. I was referred to Dr. Steven Meisterling by several Twin Cities Orthopedic employees; he practiced in the East Metro where I live and performs surgery at the Eagan Orthopedic Surgery Center. Dr. Meisterling started by giving me immediate injections in both my hips but those injections brought no relief so in October 2019 we decided I needed a new hip. The big question was which one would go first? We decided on the right hip and on October 8, 2019, Dr. Meisterling did a total right hip replacement at the Eagan Orthopedic Surgery Center and I was in the EXCEL Program. I was in and out in 24 hours and the recovery was great. Unfortunately, my left hip deteriorated rapidly so we scheduled for the left one to be replaced on January 23, 2020! My left hip replacement was a bit worse and was a harder recovery for me but Dr. Meisterling and his care team were the best and checked in, got me signed up for PT in the dead of winter and followed up during the Covid pandemic. Dr. Meisterling is kind, compassionate, and caring. Less than a year post hip replacements, I am walking, swimming, riding my bicycle (no, I haven’t tried my Harley yet!) and doing stairs with ease. I am forever grateful to Dr. Steven Meisterling and his team!

I can’t say enough about Dr. Edward Szalapski as a Doctor. My family doctor referred me to him when I needed my right hip replaced in 1998. He said he would not send me to anyone that he would not send his own family member to. Dr Szalapski fit that bill, he is a caring down to earth person. I remember telling him he had to do a good job because my grandkids wanted to play with their grandma. You know he cares about his patients when in November 1998 after having my right hip replaced, he came to see how I was doing late in the evening at the hospital.

Then in November 2009 I had my left knee replacement, left hip replacement October 2010, right hip socket replaced 2018 after 20 years. Then Dr. Szalapski did my carpel tunnel right hand in April, 2019 and the carpel tunnel left hand in May, 2019. I believe in his work so much I changed my health carrier as his office was not going to be in the network. This year I needed my right knee replaced and I am so glad I can still have Dr. Szalapski as my Orthopedic physician.

Dr. Asp knew I had seen two other providers and waited over a year to get a total hip replacement. He said, “I can do that in 10 days to 2 weeks.” I was into one of the hospitals he works as two weeks later. It was so successful, I only used a walker while in the hospital and a couple days at home. I was on the floor with my kids, cleaning the cat box, etc. within 3 weeks. I’m SO VERY THANKFUL I picked him out of the blue and he was so willing and on top of everything. He did a tremendous job!

My experience with Dr. Owen O’Neill and his team was a very positive one! Dr. O’Neill made me feel so very comfortable. And I am SO thankful he got my surgery done on January 31, 2020 – or I would maybe still be waiting due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. I would absolutely recommend this surgery/treatment to anyone suffering with hip pain. I would highly recommend Dr. O’Neill to anyone/everyone to do this surgery. Improvements to my daily life are so great! I can walk now without any help – no walker or canes! I can walk up and down step with no problems and am back in my exercise classes! His staff were also great! Anne was so wonderful with her help with scheduling and answering our questions! And Mitch was so kind during my visits.

I would like to let Dr. Asp know that you have changed my life . My hip was a total mess and you and your staff are amazing. I can do anything I want with no pain. I want to say thank you for giving me my life back.