Patient Testimonials

I highly recommend Dr. McGarvey if you are considering foot surgery. I had severe arthritis in my left foot. Today I am pain free for the first time in five years thanks to Dr. McGarvey. Thank you so much!

I broke my ankle about 35 years ago and have had arthritis and pain that limited my participation in sports.

When I went to Twin Cities Orthopedics, Dr. Chris Coetzee told me I was a good candidate for ankle replacement. Within a few months of the surgery, I was given the OK to play again. I played nine holes and had two birdies in my return to the golf course! The next day, I played handball and won both matches. The guys said they thought I moved as well or better than before my ankle angioplasty. It really helps not to have the pain anymore.

I am thankful for Dr. Coetzee and his team who have made it possible for me to play sports and move through life without pain.

I broke my ankle on the playground in fourth grade. Little did I know trajectory at that time. I competed in gymnastics in high school. I learned how to play handball and golf. Some 40 years later, my ankle started to hurt.

Eventually, I visited a noted sport medicine doctor and was told that the early injury brought about an early onset of arthritis. Nothing I could do; maybe wear a brace. Five years later, I visited other specialists, and they all told me I could have my ankle fused and I’ll know when. Another five years, and I was limping so much everyone asked if I hurt myself. I worried I was throwing everything in my body off kilter.

I decided “it’s time” and made an appointment with Dr. Chris Coetzee to get my ankle evaluated for a fusion. After his review, he said I was a candidate for either. I looked at him confused and he explained he could either fuse my ankle or replace the joint. I asked and he explained that everything I had heard about ankle replacements not going well was old news. He said I would be able to run, play handball and golf as much as I liked. I turned to my wife and we decided to go for it. I never looked back!

I used to walk around looking at the ground. We would go on trips and I could describe the sidewalks and streets but not the buildings or landscapes. I was terrified I would stumble and hurt myself. Now, I can walk anywhere without this fear.  Forward, backward, up hills and down hills. My first ankle was more than 10 years ago and my second almost three. I won both the single and doubles Minnesota State Handball Championships in my age division this year. Everyone says I am moving better and better all the time.

Dr. Coetzee and his team at TCO gave all of this back to me. If you are a candidate for an ankle joint replacement, you can’t do better than TCO.

Photo caption:

This summer, at the World Handball Championship held in Minneapolis, four of Dr. Coetzee’s patients gathered for a photo – there are seven replacement ankles on the four handball players (from left), Arnie W., Sheldon S., Scott S. and Larry L.

Handball became my competitive game of choice in the Marine Corps, but by age 60, my body started showing its age. I had both hips replaced in four years, so my handball game started showing its age as well.

When my left ankle started giving me trouble, I went back to TCO and was informed that the arthritis from multiple sprains from various sports had caught up with me and it would have to be fused or replaced.

When Dr. Chris Coetzee said the replacement would take 35 minutes, I asked how an ankle replacement could be done in half the time of a hip. The answer was that no muscles or tendons had to be cut. This convinced me because the gluteus had to be cut in the hip replacements and regaining that muscle memory took some time.

After surgery on the ankle, I asked Dr. Coetzee how long it took and he said 35 minutes, including tightening the outside ligament. As promised, I was back playing handball in three months. It went so well that I did not hesitate to replace my right ankle within 18 months, once it was obvious that it had arthritis as well.

The second replacement took 10 minutes longer because the outside ligament on the right ankle was in worse shape than the left.

I’m now 72 and moving better on the handball court than I have in 10 years. I have even started to run again, a bit slower than before, but there is no pain!

Dr. Tanner provided expert surgical repair of my broken ankle which occurred when my leg went out from under me in the yard. He clearly is an expert in repairing this injury and despite the 2.5 months of immobility which were very difficult, I am grateful to him that I can walk again without pain.

So pleased that I had Dr. Tanner do my foot surgery. I was having a lot of problems with my foot after an injury. He was able to do the repairs needed on a complex surgery and he did such a fantastic job! I’ve been able to get back to being active again. He was very kind, caring and friendly, along with all staff involved. I would highly recommend Dr. Tanner as an excellent doctor.

Dr. John Tanner is a great foot surgeon. About a year ago I had bunion surgery and the foot realigned. It turned out wonderful. It looks beautiful! I am back to walking over a mile a day. Dr. Tanner explained everything in a way I could understand and was very patient with all my questions. He also has a great staff to support him. Next month I will be having my other foot done. I highly recommend Dr. Tanner to anyone who needs foot surgery.

If all I have to say is GREAT then that’s what Dr. Vargas is just GREAT on 10 topping over 9.9.

I just met Dr. Cammack. I had a foot injury that was not healing as fast as I would have liked. Dr. Cammack was extremely helpful in helping me understand what was going on with my foot and offered excellent advise and care. I found him to be patient and kind in his approach! Excellence!

I had foot surgery by Dr. Troy Vargas on March 29, 2018. I had a very positive experience & would highly recommend Dr. Vargas to anyone considering foot surgery. After hearing numerous negative comments regarding foot surgery outcomes I was quite apprehensive. Dr. Vargas explained my upcoming surgery in great detail and answered with patience all my questions and concerns. Following my surgery with each follow up appointment Dr. Vargas took the time to address any questions and concerns. He’s very personable & positive with a great sense of humor. He has an excellent support staff who you can count on to assist you in any way to make your experience a positive one. I’m in my third month of recovery and pleased with my progress while I’m in physical therapy. I look forward to a full recovery. Norma R.