Patient Testimonials

It has been three months since I had a total knee replacement, and I have nothing but good things to say about Dr. Bircher and the EXCEL Program at the Plymouth Surgery Center. I have seen Dr. Bircher for treatment for the past two years before it was decided that we move forward with the replacement. Throughout that time, he heard my concerns, offered suggestions, made recommendations, and provided support. I believe Dr. Bircher and his team set themselves apart by not making me feel rushed during appointments and truly listening to my questions and concerns. I am so glad that I chose Dr. Bircher as my surgeon and I plan to use him again when it’s comes time for surgery on my other knee!

Dr. Bircher did an excellent job with my robotic knee replacement surgery on July 3, 2025. My family and friends cannot believe how well I am moving around after just a few weeks. I would definitely recommend him and his team.

Dr. Ockuly and Dani have provided outstanding care during both of my knee replacements. From pre-surgery preparation to post-operative recovery, their expertise, professionalism, and compassion were evident at every step. They were always available to address any questions or concerns in a timely manner. This gave me great confidence and peace of mind. Thanks to their dedication and support, my recovery has been smooth and successful. I would highly recommend Dr. Ockuly and Dani to anyone in need of orthopedic care.

I have nothing but good things to say for the care I received from Dr. Ockuly and his team at TCO. As a retired MD, I came into this process with some trepidation. The pre-op assessment for both knees were spot-on. Both surgeries were successful. When asked if I could have the second replacement without a tourniquet, he had no problem. I am very please that I have two new knees with no leg length discrepancy. I am able to walk an average of 10,000 steps a day and have started hiking again. The care I received was superb!

Dr. Bircher and his team were extremely helpful in putting my mind at ease. Being 73 years old and never having any surgeries prior made me nervous. However, I felt like they were holding my hand the entire way. I would recommend their team to anyone considering a knee replacement. I am comfortable with the team doing my second knee replacement in the near future.

I am 67 years old, and I had a knee replacement done outside of Twin Cities Orthopedics. After my surgery, I still had issues with my knee. I could hardly walk or bend, so I decided to go to TCO. I had a consultation with Dr. Saterbak and she recommended that we do a revision. When I came to see her, I felt so defeated. She did the revision and now I feel like I have my life back. Thank you so much Dr. Saterbak!

I have been seeing Dr. Arntson for five years. He is very kind and a good listener. He provides good information and solutions. He performed a full knee replacement on my right knee, with great results. I had very little pain and discomfort, and excellent mobility ahead of schedule. I highly recommend Dr. Arntson to anyone.

I had an appointment with Brianna Randall PA-C for some chronic back pain and numbness in my upper legs. I have to say that this was one of the best diagnostic appointments I have ever experienced. Brianna was very professional and thorough. She took extra time to review my previous MRI and follow up X-rays. She walks me through, in detail, what was going on in my lower back and my symptoms. By the end of the appointment, I left with complete confidence in the diagnosis, how that related to my symptoms, and what my short and long-term treatment options were. Thank you to Brianna for taking the time and answering all my questions!

Dr. Panek, his PA Nathan, and the entire EXCEL staff exceeded my wildest expectations on this journey toward getting my knee replacement. I delayed the procedure far too long and the process could not have been carried out more professionally. The staff is so kind and thoughtful. I am looking forward to getting back on my boat, going golfing, and taking a walk up North this fall.

Alyssa Johnson has been taking care of my hamstring injury this summer. In addition to being a professional physical therapist, she is very caring. She encourages me to reach my goals and is honest about my responsibilities so I can heal in the best possible way. Alyssa makes the sessions productive by continuing to challenge me so I can reach my next goal towards a complete recovery. She never makes me feel bad, even if I digress a little. Her smile and positive attitude really help her patients improve. Thank you, TCO, for competent and caring physical therapists like Alyssa.