Patient Testimonials

I am 5 weeks out from surgery and still recovering but TCO prepared me exceptionally well for surgery. My recovery has been intense but I was aware it would be work and I intend to continue to ensure my success. All staff at TCO, including Dr. Kelly, have been professional, knowledgeable and personable. I highly recommend TCO. At 5 weeks out from surgery, I see improvements each day. I know 3 and 6 months out and a year from now, I will be satisfied. Be prepared to commit to your surgery and do the post-surgery work required to achieve success.

February 16th, 2020 was a date I’ll never forget. Before this date, I was a very active individual. I went to the gym every day and I was constantly outdoors, exploring new activities. I had just joined a Jiu Jitsu club for a few months and was so excited to learn more about the sport. However, on February 16th, 2020, I tore my ACL. I was devastated. In the summer of 2020, I was supposed to graduate from the physical and last portion of my degree; and of course I was not able to. Many people who know me know I am very hopeful and positive and that is how I remained. I hoped it wasn’t a tear, until I received confirmation from the doctors I fully tore my ACL. I lost all hope. I was mentally and physically defeated, thinking about doing the things I wouldn’t be able to do anymore…or at least not for a while.

Thankfully, I had the best care team I could ever ask for at Twin Cities Orthopedics. My surgeon was Dr. Heikes, with her team, Callie Tosney and Megan Armstrong PA-C. My physical therapist was Braidy Solie. Without these individuals, my hope would have been lost during 9 months of rehab. With them, I gained confidence and hope that one day I will do what I love again. Each of them provided me with guidance and reassurance that I could get through the journey. They reminded me how strong and fierce I am. They pushed me to do things I never thought I would be able to do again.

Today, I have graduated from school and have accepted a position in my dream job. I am back to doing the things I loved to do. I continue to push myself to try new things and give 100% on everything because, one day, it could all be gone just like it was February 16th, 2020. I will be forever grateful for my team and everything they’ve done to get me back to where I am today.

My husband saw Dr. Brian Bjerke for a quadricep tendon rupture. We could not be more pleased with the entire process. It was a stressful time for us and Dr. Bjerke, and all of his staff, went out of their way to listen and explain things to us. We cannot say enough positive things. Dr. Bjerke, Andria, Katie and everyone that we encountered was professional, knowledgeable and kind. Thank you all so much.

In high school I played hockey, baseball, and football. Sadly, I only got to play a few seasons of each sport, due to injuries I sustained. I tore my meniscus in baseball during the summer, as I was entering my freshman year. I was unable to play football this year, but with the help of TCO and my physical therapist, Sam Arnold, I was able to come back and play again. I started on the varsity football team my sophomore year, but halfway into the season I tore my ACL and meniscus. I went through the same process with TCO and came back the next year better than ever.

My junior year, I played varsity hockey and football for my school, but due to COVID-19 I didn’t get to play baseball. I had a great year going for me – all conference and being named captain for both hockey and football teams. Going into my senior year, I was looking forward to playing all of my sports and being a leader in all of them. Once again, I tore my ACL and meniscus in football. I didn’t think I was going to be able to play my senior hockey season and I was devastated. Luckily, I found out that rehabilitation before surgery is an option and I decided to play my senior hockey season with a torn ACL and meniscus. With the help of my physical therapist, Sam, I played my whole hockey season and went all conference again. I finally got surgery after the season and I am on the road to recovery right now.

I am very thankful for TCO and everything they have done for me in my recovery. I was able to play my favorite sport during my senior year of high school and I was extremely thankful for that. Through my experiences at TCO, I have decided to go into the field of physical therapy and study kinesiology at the University of Minnesota.

On February 16, 2020 I tore my ACL. I was devastated. I was supposed to finish school last summer but I couldn’t do the required physical portions. Thankfully, I was lead to Dr. Heikes and her team, Megan, PA-C and Calli. With their help I had two successful surgeries and completed 9 months of physical therapy. Throughout my recovery I felt defeated more times than not, but with trusting and listening to my team, I gained a lot of confidence. They were never wrong and they always knew exactly what to do. Today, I have graduated college and am so grateful to have had such an amazing team from TCO! I have been able to return to my normal, active self and do the things I love to do! Thank you all.

I tore my right ACL during summer basketball in 2019 and had surgery with Dr. Mair. Recovery was long and hard, especially in the first months when I couldn’t do much of anything, but I had no issues with my graft or scars. I was able to play some fall league basketball and the first half of my junior volleyball season before I tore my left ACL jumping in warmups. It was devastating but I chose to have surgery again. The first months of recovery were again very slow and I had some issues with stiffness and pain in my joint. Despite that, I’ve been making progress with my physical therapy and I’m happy to say that I’m about 6.5 months post-op. I’m hoping to be cleared in a couple months to enjoy my senior year of sports. Thanks to Dr. Mair for his help!

When I first sought out a consult for knee replacements, I asked for a physician with a good bedside manner. I was immediately directed to Dr. Heikes and I have never been disappointed. Not only is she one of the kindest, most caring doctors I’ve had, she also takes her time to listen and get to know you as a person. She makes sure you are not just a patient to her – you are an individual with a story.

Before I met Dr. Heikes, I was told by several surgeons that I was too young for knee replacements. I was given very few options to try and none of those worked. Dr. Heikes always thinks outside the box. She found solutions when others found dead ends. When those solutions were used up, she gladly and expertly replaced my knees. First it was a set of partial replacements and then, when the rest of my knees were in need, she completed bilateral total replacements.

The deep concern and precise care that she shows is not unique to herself, but to her physician assistant Megan Armstrong as well. Together they form an incredible team to give the best care I could have asked for. I am walking and playing with my kids today because of them. They gave me back my life and my mobility and for that I am so very grateful. If you’re searching for the right medical team for you, I cannot recommend Dr. Heikes and Megan Armstrong PA-C enough.

Dr. O’Keefe & Dalton Neil, PA-C were very helpful and informative as to what I was experiencing. I would highly recommend them to anyone who is having knee issues. Blaine Orthopedic Surgery Center nurses were very nice and made my surgery visit very tolerable. Thank you to all!

I had a great experience. Dr. O’Keefe made my first surgery go great! Everyone at TCO is extremely helpful and was awesome. Thank you!

I was somewhat hesitant to have knee replacement surgery, but over time despite other treatment options and PT, it seemed like the logical option. Of course, any surgery is unpleasant, but overall I have been VERY satisfied with the results and the care I received from Dr. Kelly and all of the medical professionals/trainers I dealt with along the way. The post-op PT is unwelcome at first, but within days my pain was reminiscing and my range of motion increasing. Over the following weeks my mobility increased and I had the other knee replaced. The second knee actually felt less painful and recovery was a bit smoother. It has now been two years. I followed all the instructions, completed all of the PT and am EXTREMELY happy with the results. My mobility has increased substantially and my quality of life is markedly improved. Before having the knee replacements, I would dread stairs. Even walking up and down and incline would be painful. Simple things such as light yard work or housework were quite burdensome. Not I have no pain, considerably more energy and care on a much more normal life.