Patient Testimonials

This was an injury that occurred while working in the EMS field. I tend to “over educate” myself on any procedures or medications that may be done to/or going into my body. While I initially “spooked” myself listening to others around me, I ended up postponing my surgery. I am very glad that I had another consultation to have my concerns addressed with Dr. Honstad. He sat down with me for 45 minutes and answered all my questions which eased my concerns. I confidently rescheduled my surgery for a week later, and I am very happy with the professionalism, expertise, and the follow-up so far. I feel that we have made the right choice to go about addressing the issues present, and in the proper order. I would not hesitate to have Dr. Honstad be my hand/wrist doctor when I need it in the future. I feel it was a good choice to trust Dr. Honstad for my care.

A huge thank you and shout out to Dr. Jason Holm, Aaron Klatt, and Alex Barney. I fell off my bike in May when the brakes locked up resulting in a bad landing on my left knee. I had not fallen off my bike since I was a kid. I have osteoporosis so I was anxious about this whole thing. I had to be at TCO Burnsville early that Thursday. Living solo at age 76 added to the challenges of this experience but I was able to be picked up and have someone stay with me for a few days to help in my recovery.

After healing from my procedure, I was finally able to prepare for a trip to see my kids and grandkids in Atlanta. I worked hard during my physical therapy appointments with Alex and learned how my new knee now functions. I powered through our sessions, and I challenged myself to whole way. Alex told me to listen to my body, especially if my body was telling me not to do specific exercises for a little while and take a break. I realized what was manageable and what wasn’t. My appointments started as twice a week, but I was able to stretch my appointments to once a week then once a month. I went through withdrawal as my PT appointments lessened, but I realized I was finally able to handle life much better as recovery went on.

I am so much happier now post-surgery. I have lost 15 lbs. since the procedure and have been more active at home and out-and-about. I was finally able to swim again during Labor Day, and I have been going to the Eagan YMCA to work specifically on strength exercises and swimming. My first time back to the pool, I realized I can do strokes that I could not do prior. I do stretches in bed and I can now bend to get up and down from the floor. My leg is truly functioning again!

Conveniently, I have a high pain tolerance, and I didn’t need much pain medication. Icy Hot became very helpful for any achy pains during recovery. Overall, healing happens if you are patient with the directions and put in the work. Thank you again to the masterful team of Dr. Holm, Aaron, and Alex! I will be forever grateful for your professional help in giving me back a positive quality of life after many years of frustrating limitations.

I cannot say enough about Dr. Mittelsteadt and his wonderful staff! I had an EMT step on and break my left foot in three places about 5 years ago. Dr. Mittelsteadt was going to do surgery the following winter, which was about a year later, but something came up with my health so we couldn’t do it. That went on for 5 winters! Dr. Mittelsteadt saw me through all those years, with steroid shots and different braces. He was very understanding and patient. Plus, he is funny! Of all the doctors I have, he’s my favorite by far. Right after I went back to work from my ankle surgery, I fell and broke my kneecap. He took care of that as well. I fall and break things all the time, so I am sure I will be seeing him again!

In the fall of 2020, I was walking across my deck with an extension cord and tripped over the cord end. As I lay on the sidewalk assessing for possible damage, I rotated my leg left and right. Unfortunately, my right foot looked like it had quit, as my toes remained pointing skyward. I had made it to the age of 72 without breaking any bones. We were assigned to Dr. Ockuly and his team. My wife and I were introduced to Dani, who is Dr. Ockuly’s Care Coordinator. If we had any questions or concerns, Dani called back incredibly quickly and was very professional. If she didn’t have the answer, she found out and called us back promptly. During the consultation, we shared our faith life with Dr. Ockuly, who responded in kind. This deepened the relationship greatly and added significantly to the trust between patient and doctor.

Sometime after that, my wife was involved in a car accident. I drove to the emergency room and met her there after the EMTs had arrived. Lo and behold…she had unfortunately broken her arm and wrist. These were the first broken bones for her as well. During a break in the action, I slipped outside and left a message with Dani. She quickly called me back, and we scheduled an appointment with Dr. Ockuly again. I was so grateful to have his team help me get scheduled on the spot.

In my retirement, I took a job as a school bus driver. I am blessed with wonderful kids on my route, and they make me happy. One part of my job I did not like was taking the 200-yard walk from the base office to my bus, and the same walk again at the end of my shift. My arthritic knees made the journey so painful. This summer, Dr. Ockuly and his team replaced both knees. WOW! Though some discomfort remains, I am taking long, confident strides. At my follow-up appointment this week, I told Dr. Ockuly, “Thank you for using your God-given gifts to repair me so I could share my God-given gifts with others!” At that point, Dr. Ockuly offered me a tissue as I was starting to tear up! As I left, I thanked Dani profusely and received a hug from Annie, who invited us to her church to see their adoration chapel. My incisions are healing very well, and my final knee X-rays proved the surgery was perfect.

I send my thanks and appreciation to the TCO Plymouth Urgent Care staff! It ?was my first time at TCO, and I needed an evaluation after a fall I took. Everyone was cheerful and professional. I was helped promptly, and my x-rays and treatment plan was clearly communicated. I am so glad to have TCO here in our community, and I recommend them highly.

I met Dr. Johnson at the Fairview Southdale emergency room one evening after I slipped on our carpeted stairs which resulted in a bad break to my right femur. Dr. Johnson and his team took great care of me during my stay at the hospital, and I received a very successful surgery on my leg. My pain level during my recovery was very tolerable, and his follow-up was excellent.

Fast forward about a year or so, my left knee had experienced an insufficiency fracture needing a total knee replacement. It was not a question as to who I wanted to do the surgery. Turns out that Dr. Johnson is an excellent knee replacement surgeon as well. Him and his team were genuinely interested in my care through every phase of my time with them. I just “graduated” from my one-year follow-up a few weeks ago and have no complaints. I have no hesitation in recommending Dr. Jeremiah Johnson for any of your special orthopedic surgical needs. Thank you!

I have nothing but praise for the care I received from Dr. Gilbertson. After a nasty fall down my outside stairs, I was rushed to Southdale Medical and had the good fortune of Dr. Gilbertson as my surgeon. He was clear and explicit with what he would do in a total hip replacement surgery and also outlined possible unpleasant outcomes. Surgery was excellent. I recovered quickly after my June 2024 surgery and visited the doctor again this week for follow up. I was so pleased to see how my femur and bones healed beautifully. Dr. Gilbertson is among the best in this field!

Dr. Ryan Nielsen performed surgery on my daughter with special needs when other facilities were turning her away. She had a femur fracture, and he found anomalies in the other femur. Dr. Nielsen performed two surgeries on my daughter. He took additional time to explain what would happen in terms she could understand. He also took additional time to ensure all of my questions were understood as well. Dr. Nielsen went above and beyond to find out why she was having these problems with her femurs. I could not have asked for anyone better to care for her during such a traumatic time.

Dr. Nielsen, you are 12 on a 10-point scale as far as healthcare providers. I happily drive from Hudson, WI to receive your care and guidance.

I was ‘fortunate’ to have had an emergent care opportunity at North Memorial Health and to have you repair my intertrochanteric left femur fracture.  As a patient, most expect that healthcare providers demonstrated technical or position competence, and an added plus would be if they also provided emotional support and perhaps kindness.  In our brief encounters, a traditional quote that particularly applies to you and Ms. Eckerdt is “Individuals do not care how much you know, until they know how much you care”.

Undoubtedly, I suspect that you know that Ms. Eckerdt is a FANTASTIC person that appreciates and epitomizes the various items in each of the three previous paragraphs.  She represents you, your practice, and serves your patient(s) exceptionally well!  She “Gets It”!

I’m so grateful for the excellent care I received from Dr. Gilbertson after I fell and rebroke my hip and femur. Because I was a trauma surgery patient, I was apprehensive about the surgery and who my surgeon would be. I realized how fortunate I was that Dr. Gilbertson was the trauma surgeon on call. My recovery has been challenging, but the care received from TCO staff has been great. Dr. Gilbertson’s bedside manner is very good. I highly recommend him and TCO.