Patient Testimonials

I had disc bulging at L3-4 and more severe at L4-5 with moderate disc degeneration. I had a L4-5 microdisectomy and felt significant relief of my back pain at this level and leg pain. Unfortunately, I still have a herniation at L3-4 that isn’t to the point of needing surgery. Disc degeneration that would require a fusion and given I am only 36, a fusion is something I want to avoid. Dr. DuBois was excellent and the L4-5 microdiscectomy made it possible to play with my twin girls again. If further surgery is needed at some point, I would definitely go back to see Dr. DuBois.

I had been suffering with severe pain and numbness in my shoulder and right arm from a pinched nerve in my neck. It was so bad I couldn’t even push or pull a door open. I wasn’t able to get the care I needed from another provider so I called Twin Cities Orthopedic on a Wednesday. They got me in to see Dr. Banks the following Monday. After looking at scans of my neck he recommended spinal fusion surgery, which was performed that Thursday. When I woke up from surgery, the pain was completely gone and strength had returned to my hand. Now six weeks later, I am back to full activities, including playing tennis again, which I was afraid wouldn’t happen. I can’t say enough about the care I received from Twin Cities Orthopedics and Dr. Banks.

During early September 2018 I awoke one day with severe neck pain. I went to the TCO Orthopedic Urgent Care and was treated. Within two days I was back at the TCO Orthopedic Urgent Care because the pain had now radiated into my right arm. They referred me to Dr. Deal and physical therapy. From the first time I met Dr. Deal, I knew that I was being listened to and that I could trust him. An MRI showed I had a large herniated disc with nerve root involvement. Within a few weeks after I met Dr. Deal I started loosing strength in my right arm and was noticing that I was having difficulty brushing my hair. The pain was not getting better. I was having difficulty with keyboarding as well, which was impacting my ability to work.

On October 9 2018, I underwent a cervical disc arthroplasty. Prior to the surgery my quality of daily life was declining and I was feeling frustrated and becoming depressed. When I awoke from the anesthesia my nerve pain was gone for the first time in one month. It was a relief.

Dr. Deal gave me back my quality of life. Post-operatively I attended physical therapy and regained my neck strength and almost my entire full range of motion.

I am grateful for Dr. Deal and blessed that I had wonderful staff at TCO and Minnesota Valley Surgery Center.

I fell 15 feet. I shattered my ankle, broke my tibia in 5 different places and blew out the disc between L5-S1. Dr. DuBois installed an artificial disc in my back. It has been just under 13 months since surgery and my back feels fantastic. I have other issues in my back which prevent me from doing strenuous activities, but where the surgery was performed feels great. The pain is about 90% gone. If it weren’t for my other back and ankle issues, I would feel awesome. I can’t thank Dr. DuBios, Bonnie and the rest of his team enough for fixing me up. I was in and out of surgery in an hour. I can’t even get my tires changed that fast. Dr. DuBois is one of the best orthopedic surgeons around. I would settle for nothing less than the best.  Thank you all for fixing me up.

Before surgery, I could not walk across Home Depot without looking for a lawn chair to sit in because of aching pain in my leg. I also did not sleep well because of pain. After surgery the relief was immediate. All pain gone. I would do it again but very happy I don’t have to. Thank you Dr. DuBois!

In September of 2017, I had come to the end of my proverbial rope. After a fall in 1978 of approximately 30 feet, I had some 14 major back and neck surgeries and was now in so much pain I was ready to give up. Seven years earlier the head of Neurosurgery at a very prominent hospital told me when I came for a much anticipated appointment, “if anyone ever tells you they can help you they’re pulling your leg”. I left devastated, in tears and did not really know how much longer or how much worse things could get.

Things indeed did get worse and over the next seven years my 6 foot 6 inch frame folded over too about 5’7”. The pain was completely over the top when I decided I had two choices; one very final, the other was search for a surgeon capable and willing to save my life. I started searching for Twin Cities Neurosurgeons and actually read the bio’s when I stumbled on Dr. Harris. In bold type he stated that he specialized in brain and complex spinal surgery. I had no choice but to see if he was serious, my appointment was made.

His staff treated me with a great deal of respect and seemed to streamline the process because the next thing I knew I was standing in front of Dr. Harris being told that he could help me! He warned me that it would be the worst thing I had ever been through and I kind-of chuckled because I had been through staph infections of the spine, multiple 3+ level fusions, I didn’t think I had anything to lose.

The 13 hour surgery was all that Dr. Harris promised. He removed a four level bad fusion done in 1988 and then went on to fuse virtually everything but the kitchen sink. I was up and walking the first day after surgery with huge grin on my face as I again stood 6ft 5in tall. In May of 2018, seven months after surgery I played golf for the first time in ten years without any increased pain. Yes my swing was really ugly but it didn’t matter, it was fantastic. The improvement in my quality of life cannot be understated, you need to be patient and persistent and understand you have a very long road ahead and the possibility of a much better outlook for tomorrow.

The recovery took a little over a year but Dr. Harris most definitely saved my life on October the 19th, 2017.

Compared to a year ago, the way I feel now is nothing short of amazing. I am able to mountain bike, XC ski, play basketball, coach, and do all of my normal activities pain free. Prior to my cervical disk replacement, I was having excruciating pain radiate down my arm that prevented me from doing just basic activities. I was unable to even lie flat on my back with pain and numbness. The surgery performed by Dr. DuBois really has given me my life back! My wife and kids will also attest to that.

My journey started when I decided to undergo surgery, in an attempt to help reduce the pain I was suffering from scoliosis (identified when I was 12 years old).  I stayed active as a ballerina in a small company without too much pain into my 20’s. Now in my 30’s, the larger curve had increased to 74 degrees and the pain had become unbearable. The decision was difficult because my husband and I have 3 young children and I knew this would be a long road. But the everyday tasks were too difficult.  It was hard to stand, walk or sit for more than 10 min. I’m not a person who likes to complain, most of my coworkers didn’t even know how much pain I was in until I said I was having surgery.  The difficult decision was made to have a four level spinal fusion to try to relieve some of the pain.

Once the surgery was complete, the next chapter started. I had to use a walker at home. I spent 18 months, 24 hours a day, in a hard plastic TLSO brace from chest to hips. No bending, twisting or lifting over 5 pounds was allowed, which meant I couldn’t pick up my then 3 year old son.  I’m so grateful to have had the incredible support of my husband, family, and friends along the way.  By the time I was 6 months out from surgery, progress was slow. So I had to start daily injections and wore a bone growth stimulator 24 hours a day, because the fusion wasn’t healing as fast as expected. I’m a dedicated nurse of 15 years and almost lost my job twice because of physical restrictions.  I fought hard to keep my nursing career at the hospital and regain my strength.

Once my fusion was fully healed I was able to start physical therapy – and I couldn’t just go to anyone after all I’d been through. A friend of mine who worked in the medical field told me to go to Twin Cities Orthopedics in Eagan and to see Christian Dawson. He was the best person to see for spinal rehabilitation. I saw 2 other people at different facilities while I waited to get an appointment with him. After the first visit I had with Christian I knew he was the right fit and he would be able to help get me to where I needed to be. I trusted him with my health. We worked together to test my limits and pushed me past the fears and doubt, building my strength and confidence.

I had to wean out of the brace slowly and I am proud to say that I am now out of my brace all together, not even wearing it at work anymore. My pain is so much better now then prior to surgery and continues to improve as I become stronger. I can do normal everyday things and I’m back to regular exercise even taking a barre pilates class at TCO. I still continue to see Christian a couple times a month because building muscle after such a long period of time in a TLSO brace takes time.  I feel stronger and more confident everyday thanks to TCO and Christian’s encouragement. It’s hard work, but my determination and dedication will help me get back to a normal happy healthy life.

In August 2018, I was at gymnastics practice and tried doing a vault. I fell and hurt my back. The pain kept getting worse and I finally went to TCO. They did a MRI and said I had a stress fracture in my left pars L5. I was put into a brace and eventually 2 more. I was not healing, my leg was going numb and becoming weak. I couldn’t sit or stand long without being in a lot of pain. It was well into my gymnastics competition season and I was not sure if I would be able to do gymnastics ever again. Since I wasn’t going to need surgery, I was referred to my PT, Kristina. She was so great and helpful! We took things slow, she was so patient with me! After months of PT, I was finally allowed to try handstands! It took 8 months to get me back to the gym! Unfortunately, I missed the entire competition season. I am back to training and excited to start competing next season!! Thanks to TCO and Kristina Withers for giving me back the confidence and strength to continue the sport I fell in love with 8 years ago!

I experienced a herniated disc at L4-L5 that caused extreme pain in my lower back and down my right leg. The MRI revealed a significant disc protrusion irritating the nerves going down my leg. Dr. Deal performed a micro-discectomy to remove the protrusion, resulting in immediate pain relief. Several weeks of physical therapy following surgery has re-strengthened the muscles that atrophied in my right leg during the period prior to surgery. I could not be more pleased with the treatment by Dr. Deal and his excellent team.