Patient Testimonials

Dr. Jason Barry and Rebecca Munson did a great job replacing my right shoulder. Before I had surgery, I couldn’t even lift a coffee cup or tie my shoes. Now, I am five weeks post-surgery and have a 25-pound limit. I have full range of motion and no pain. Dr. Barry also performed replacement surgery on my left shoulder back in 2018. Both are working well and have given me a new lease on life.  Dr. Barry and Rebecca Munson are an amazing care team if you ever need replacement surgery.

Dr. Bjerke performed surgery on my left shoulder on October 9th, 2024. I have been pleased with the results. My mobility and strength are improving every day; and I have not experienced any pain or soreness in my shoulder for quite some time.

There are four important factors in the success of my surgery:

1. I had an excellent surgeon and team that performed the surgery
2. I received a note in my post-surgery packet regarding a rental of cold compress machine. I did rent one and used it extensively for the first two to three weeks after surgery. This was very important in managing my pain. I did not have to use any prescribed pain medicine, just a heavy regiment of Advil and Tylenol.
3. Dr. Bjerke referred me to Mike Dickey for physical therapy. He is very good! He knows how to rehabilitate a shoulder and knows the intricacies of what is going to happen in recovery each week. I was very faithful following his rehab exercises and it paid off.
4. I had a great caregiver as my wife who has first-hand experience in rotator-cuff surgeries.

My activity level is improving. I am playing tennis three times a week, and I am not feeling any aftereffects in my shoulder. My workouts at the gym are going well. I am using light weights but also staying away from exercises that Dr. Bjerke and Mike Dickey recommended not doing. I am still doing my Mike Dickey rehab exercises faithfully. This was not a fun surgery. Recovery is long and I still feel like I am recovering. But I am glad I had it done and it is over. I made the right decision. Thank you to Dr. Bjerke being a great doctor and working with me through this multi-year shoulder experience.

I had a right shoulder joint replacement. Dr. Hunt did a phenomenal job! I had the nerve block which lasted three days and I had no pain. Icing helped with swelling as well. I was at the TCO EXCEL recovery suite overnight. Everyone there was very kind and took good care of me. They are where attentive to my needs. I highly recommend TCO!

Highly recommend Dr. Leafblad and the TCO staff. I had my shoulder replaced in February 2025 and now I am done with physical therapy. They are great with all they do. I couldn’t be more satisfied.

Dr. Ockuly performed a total reverse shoulder replacement for me in May. Prior to my surgery, I was not able to work over head or shoot my shot gun. I love to go bow hunting and was not able to shoot my vertical bow. He told me I would be shooting my bow by Fall. It was true and I couldn’t be happier. The TCO team was excellent.

I was suffering from extreme shoulder pain in both shoulders for about 7 years which got progressively worse over time. It was caused purely by arthritis with no history of damage from an accident or injury. I went to my local TCO clinic in Vadnais Heights for an opinion by a trained physician and was introduced to Dr. Nels Leafblad.

During the appointment, I was impressed by his medical background and that he treated damaged shoulders. A thorough evaluation determined my need for a total replacement of both shoulders. Feeling more at ease with Dr. Leafblad, we both agreed to replace one shoulder in 2024 and the other in 2025 if the first was successful. A great decision! Dr. Leafblad’s confidence and positive manner led to a very positive outcome.

Now, here I am in May 2025 with two newly replaced shoulders, a good attitude, and most importantly, no pain. I am completely back to performing house and year work while being also to play golf again. I feel like I was led to TCO and Dr. Leafblad. Now I have a new lease on life at age 78.

I highly recommend Twin Cities Orthopedics for joint replacement surgery. Dr. Leafblad and his staff did an excellent job with my total reverse shoulder replacement in March 2025. The pain from bone spurs is now completely gone in my shoulder. With physical therapy, I am making good progress toward increasing mobility. I am looking forward to having my other shoulder replaced within the next year.

My thanks to Dr. Butterfield and his surgical team for the left total shoulder replacement. Dr. Butterfield’s expertise and precise technique has given me an excellent outcome from this surgery in April of 2025. Dr. Butterfield and his team did a total right shoulder replacement in August of 2021 as well. I went to TCO with a lot of pain in both instances and each outcome resulted in zero pain. TCO’s physical therapy staff showed me how to regain full use of both shoulders. Dr. Wetter also replaced both of my hips back in 2016 and 2018, also with no pain afterwards. The four surgeries I have had have been life changing. Thank you!

Dr. Edward Kelly performed Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement on both of my shoulders. My arthritis and torn rotator cuff attachments limited my ability to do many things before. I now have increased range of motion in both shoulders – motion I have not had in over twenty years. Until I experienced “no pain” in my shoulders after surgery, I didn’t realize how much pain I was in every day.

The whole process, from my first visit through recovery, Dr. Kelly and his staff were there caring for me in a friendly and professional manner. The preparation for surgery, the facility, and everyone involved in my surgeries, were beyond my expectations. I highly recommend Dr. Kelly and his staff! Don’t wait, get it done sooner than later! Having use of my arms makes me feel that I am back in control and can now look forward to more years doing what I want to do. Thank you, Dr. Kelly, and Staff!

My first experience with Dr. Ockuly was five years ago when I needed a hip replacement. He took time to explain the x-rays and promised me he would do his best to fix my hip. It was a very successful surgery. Four weeks later, I had finished PT and could walk without any assistance. Next came a completely torn shoulder that could not be fixed except for a total reverse shoulder replacement. At first, Dr. Ockuly wanted me to try PT. Eighteen weeks later, Dr. Ockuly told me I was doing better than what surgery would do. Now I’m facing replacement of both knees but not before having a few years of alternative therapies.

I highly recommend Dr. Ockuly to anyone needing surgery. He is very knowledgeable and experienced. He takes time to explain the situation and what plans are available for treatment. His entire team is caring, competent, and really treats you like family. His PA, Annie Merrill, is an invaluable member of his team before, during, and after surgery.