Patient Testimonials

Our daughter was running 22 minute 5k’s as a 7th grader when she began to have hip pain. After cross country season ended that fall, we decided to sit her out of wrestling season over the winter so she could rest and heal. We thought it was a strained hip flexor, but with rest and physical therapy her condition deteriorated, and it wasn’t long before she was unable to walk up stairs by herself.

We were referred to TCO for diagnostic hip injections, and after evaluating our daughter, Dr. Larson confirmed the physical therapist’s suspicion that she had FAI in both hips. However, he told us he suspected an inflammatory disorder of some kind, and regretfully, surgery would have to wait until we got to the root of the inflammation problem. As we exited his office Dr. Larson suggested we take her to Mayo, U of M, or Gillette Children’s for evaluation. We received the necessary referrals, and eventually discovered that our daughter had Lyme Disease. After several months of treatment, we returned to see Dr. Larson, and he was able to perform her hip surgeries.

We are very grateful for Dr. Larson, his expertise, integrity, and professionalism. And we are pleased to report that our daughter is healthy and active again.

After visiting with two other orthopedic surgeons, a friend suggested I meet with Dr. Owen O’Neill at TCO. This friend had both hips replaced by Dr. O’Neill about 10 years ago. Her goal was to be back riding her horse within eight weeks of the surgery and in both cases, she was. While most hip surgeons use the posterior incision method, Dr. O’Neill uses the minimally invasive anterior technique. I knew as soon as I met Dr. O’Neill that I was willing to put my hip health in his hands, and he was able to schedule surgery for five weeks out. Every step of the process was shared with me in advance. After the morning surgery, I was moved to the overnight facility where I stayed until the next morning with round-the-clock care including physical therapy. Dr. O’Neill visited me the morning after surgery, and I was released to go home. Within three weeks, I was driving again and by six weeks, I had resumed most normal activities. My hip pain was gone immediately after surgery, and I have had no pain since then. I was able to climb stairs the day after surgery and as part of the EXCEL Surgery & Recovery program, I walked three times a day until I was walking over an hour a day. This was a life-changing surgery for me. I have resumed regular exercise and travel and am pain-free. In hindsight, I would not have waited so long to have the surgery, but I did so out of fear. Dr. O’Neill is an excellent surgeon, and he and his team at Twin Cities Orthopedics took very good care of me.

Dr. Edward Szalapski did a wonderful job of putting me back together after my brief excursion into the sport of pickleball. I discovered that the concrete surface of the court was far harder than my bones. His emergency total hip replacement was 100% successful. Within just a few weeks, with diligent physical therapy, I was pain-free and once again blessed with 100% mobility. It’s as though the surgery never happened, and I simply have a brand-new hip that should be good for yet another 75 years!

I am extremely pleased with the outcome of my hip replacement surgery. Dr. Owen O’Neill and his staff were exceptional. I had some pain the first couple of days, but within a week, could walk without the assistance of a cane. Eight weeks post-operation and I am back playing Pickleball two hours per day without pain. I also do an hour of low-impact aerobics, weights, and cycling. I would highly recommend Dr. O’Neill to anyone needing a hip replacement.

Dr. Owen O’Neill replaced my right hip four months ago with excellent results. I highly recommend him to anyone considering this procedure because of his exceptional level of experience, surgical skill, and caring demeanor. Now I’m ready for the upcoming wedding of my son and a trip to Morocco!

Dr. Owen O’Neill performed my direct anterior hip replacement with amazing results. No physical therapy was required versus the traditional procedure which was done on my right hip a few years ago. My recovery time was much shorter, and I had minimum pain. There is no question for anyone who is considering a hip replacement to have Dr. O’Neill perform it.

I had gone to numerous doctors before finally finding my saving grace, Dr. David Hartigan. I had been dealing with hip pain for quite a few years. I had just kind of gotten used to the pain. I had numerous injections, tried many different anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, aquatic therapy, and obviously the good ole “rotate heat and ice.”

I started researching orthopedic hip surgeons, and I came upon Dr. Hartigan. From the first fist bump to the end of my first appointment, he had a plan of attack set up and I had scans and surgery scheduled and completed within a month. By my first follow-up appointment, I was already cleared to drive, which was way ahead of schedule. I’ve been nothing but happy with my recovery thus far, and it’s been almost three years since my surgery. I’ve had a few days that have been a bit of a struggle but that’s because of my fibromyalgia flaring up more after surgery. I’ll take that healing pain over the hellish pain I was in before surgery.

My only regret is that I didn’t advocate for myself sooner. I am and will be forever grateful to Dr. Hartigan, his care team, his surgical team, the nurses and receptionists, and the physical therapists. You have all given me my life back. I can walk and play with my niece and nephew without constant horrible pain. I have been able to exercise more and have lost weight thanks to Dr. Hartigan and his team.

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 chose Dr. O’Neil because a friend who had him for a hip replacement said it was a “piece-of-cake”. My surgery was early in the morning. I slept most of the day and the next morning I was awake and feeling good. They gave me breakfast and a lunch to take along I was discharged to go home to northern Minnesota. The next day I started walking our driveway, which is quite long, with a walker. The next week I switched to a cane more for security than needed. My recovery was faster and pain was less with the anterior hip surgery. This was so much easier than my previous surgery with a different orthopedic physician, and the scar is fading fast.

Ten weeks ago I had hip replacement surgery with Dr. Owen O’Neill. I highly recommend him and his talented team.

Dr. O’Neill listened and answered all my questions before and after surgery. The EXCEL Surgery and Recovery program makes the entire process (scheduling, insurance, check-in, overnight stay, prescription meds, follow-up appointments, etc.) seamless. Every person I encountered was friendly, reassuring, and competent. The recommendations for at-home recovery were easy to follow. I found the post-surgery walking program motivating and helpful.

I now walk faster and without a limp. I am more flexible and move without stiffness and pain. I am getting much more out of my workout classes with my new hip! I am grateful for Dr. O’Neill and his entire team.