Patient Testimonials

I have some ongoing spine issues that I am still working on. However, when I saw Dr. Bisch, I was very impressed. He is extremely kind, professional, and explains things very well. Most importantly, he listened and was very respectful toward my situation. I appreciated that very much. I would highly recommend him to others.

I have been heavily involved in Minnesota Special Olympics since I was eight years old and now, I will be turning 30 this month. Last fall, I sprained my ankle at flag football practice. I knew right away that I injured my ankle, so my dad took me to the ER. They did an X-ray and said it wasn’t broken but referred me to Twin Cities Orthopedics. The doctor at TCO Maple Grove ordered an MRI and said it was a bad sprain. I was put in a boot and eventually an ankle brace. The doctor ordered weekly physical therapy which I continued for several weeks. Unfortunately, I was unable to return to flag football that season. I met with the doctor again to check progress, and he continued the PT for a few more weeks just to be make sure everything was fully healed. I was given the go ahead to play but told to go slow.

I am part of Osseo-Maple Grove Athletic Association (OMGAA) teams and play ice hockey with Minnesota Special Hockey. A few weeks into this past season I also took a fall on the ice and injured my hand! I again went to TCO Maple Grove where they did another X-ray, and I was given a brace to wear on wrist. I was still having pain issues, so I returned to TCO and saw a doctor in the hand specialist clinic. He ordered an ultrasound of my wrist, and I have a follow-up appointment with him this week.

I also do gymnastics for MN Special Olympics. Three weeks ago, I injured my back at practice doing the vault. After a week, I was still having a lot of back and leg pain, so I went to TCO again. The doctor ordered an ultrasound of my back, and the results were a herniated disc. I start PT for my back this week. He also ordered a cortisone shot for my spine so I will likely be out from basketball and gymnastics for the season.

During this time, I will work on strengthening my body parts! In addition to playing several sports with MN Special Olympics, I also coach my sister’s bocce ball team in the summer. I have been chosen as an athletic coach for bocce at the USA games that will be held in Minnesota this summer. I am very excited! I went to Seattle in 2018 for the USA games and competed in gymnastics where I came home with five medals. I also was a part of the USA games in Orlando in 2022 for half court women’s basketball. We won a gold medal! I have always felt very supported at TCO and listened to by doctors and therapists. They always thoroughly explain at home exercises and are very clear on when I can return to sports. I am sure with all the sports I play that I will be back to TCO in the future!

I have seen Dr. Reynolds twice for low back and SI pain. He nailed the diagnosis immediately and confirmed it with an MRI. He has a fantastic “bedside manner” and is very easy to communicate with. Dr. Reynolds explains everything well. I feel like I receive great information coming in and going out. He sent me to TCO physical therapy, and I am responding fantastically to the exercises in my rehab! I have already referred him to others and will continue to do so in a heartbeat! What a great addition to TCO!

I saw Dr. Michalik for some complicated issues that I am experiencing with my lower back. He was very prepared to meet with me. I felt like he really understood what I was going through, not just physically. I left his office feeling very excited about the next steps and having him as my ‘spine guy’. I haven’t felt this confident in a really long time.

My mother, who is 89 years old, was receiving back injections, nerve ablations, and even had an electronic nerve stimulator implanted in her back. Over a 15-year period of trying to ease her serve back pain, there was no relief. She lived in terrible pain every single day!

After tons of research to try to help my mother, I found Dr. Hoel at Twin Cities Orthopedics and made her an appointment. Although we did not have a current MRI available, only previous CT scans, Dr. Hoel told my mom that he knew where her pain was coming from. He ordered her a back injection along with getting her an MRI. After that injection, her pain has been gone over the last six weeks! It was truly a miracle! My mom recently got her MRI, and we will be following up with Dr. Hoel. We were so blessed to have found him, and we give him our deepest appreciation and thanks.

Nicole Sullivan has been an absolute game-changer as my strength and conditioning specialist! When I started, I was only working out once or twice a week on my own, and I was dealing with a sore back that had bothered me for years. Nicole completely turned that around. She designed a series of strength workouts that took me from basic at-home exercises to lifting serious weight at the TCO gym. Her guidance was spot-on.

She met me for a few in-person sessions to nail down proper form, then set me up with the TCO app. It made following the workouts a breeze. As I got stronger, Nicole tweaked the plans to push me past plateaus, keeping things challenging yet doable. Now, my back hasn’t felt this good in decades, and I look forward to hitting the gym. Thanks to her, I’m not just stronger – I’ve got the power and confidence to step up as a volunteer firefighter, ready to support those in need. Nicole’s expertise and tailored approach have made all the difference. She has a passion for fitness and is an amazing guide to help you on your journey. I highly recommend her!

Dr. Michalik did a great job identifying and prescribing treatment at my first visit. He provided clear and understandable information. He paid attention to what I had to say. I would recommend him to any one with back issues.

Dr. Hofkens is very kind and willing to take the time to explain what is happening, along with your options. He gave me the answers I needed for a treatment plan and follow-up. I wouldn’t hesitate to refer someone to Dr. Hofkens.

Dr. Deal and his PA-C, Nathan, took care of me in July 2023. I was having lower lumbar problems and they read the results of my MRI to me. I just want to thank them both for going over everything in detail so I could have a better understanding of what was going on. When I got back to Naples, Florida days later, I immediately started physical therapy again. And thanks to the physical therapist, he was able to alleviate most of the pain.

I am so looking forward to getting back to my daily morning walks and workouts at the club. Also, I just want to say that the entire TCO organization was a lifesaver for me when I needed it the most! When I hobbled into your facility early on a Friday morning with excruciating pain, I was seen immediately! I truly appreciated the work of those professionals! Everyone did an outstanding job, especially Joelle and Rachael in MRI Scheduling! Thanks again for your help.

I wanted to thank Dr. Maura Hartigan for the care she provided me. She helped with the ongoing pain in my back, neck and head due to arthritis that has taken over my body the last several years. I had this same treatment done 3 years ago by another spine specialist. It 100% helped me for 3 years with severe back, neck, and arm pain. Dr. Maura Hartigan was very kind, caring, and did a great job helping me transfer my file to her from another specialist. Dr. Hartigan and her team were kind and caring. She explained the narrowing going on in my back that was not talked about from my last specialist. I’m so thankful I was referred to Dr. Hartigan. I’m so grateful to her and her team for such great care and helping with my ongoing pain.