Patient Testimonials

Dr. Knowlan and his team are nothing short of amazing. My hips and knees were bone on bone and several friends recommended him to me. Normally these procedures would take 4 years, replacing one per year. I didn’t want to deal with it that long, and Dr. Knowlan did all four procedures within a 9 month period. I’m now able to do things I haven’t been able to do for years, like going up and down stairs, crossing my legs, sitting cross legged, and putting on my socks by myself. These things are no big deal to the average person, but a very big deal to someone who can’t do them. I don’t need my scooter or walker anymore. I couldn’t be happier with the results. The team at Eagan Orthopedic Surgery Center and the EXCEL Care Suites were also amazing. I felt like I was treated like royalty. I would do this again in a heartbeat, though I wouldn’t recommend doing the surgeries so close together. I’ve dealt with chronic pain most of my life since I have scoliosis, so the recovery pain wasn’t that big of a deal for me.

I received a left total knee replacement in October 2022. I am totally satisfied with the results.  I have full mobility and no pain. Dr. Szalapski also performed a left shoulder replacement in 2014 and a right shoulder reverse replacement in 2018. Again, the results were 100% satisfaction with no pain and full mobility. I highly recommended Dr. Szalapski!

My injury came from stepping onto a step stool. I went to urgent care and was told see an orthopedic doctor. TCO was the only provider I could get in to see someone within a couple days instead of weeks. Dr. Bircher was very attentive and evaluated my knee and talked through my options. I went with the injection but after some months the pain returned and I decided with Dr. Bircher’s guidance to have total knee replacement. I cannot say enough about how smooth the surgery and recovery went. The EXCEL Program was wonderful and the physical therapists, Kristina and Jared, were the best. At 3 months post-surgery I am walking 4 miles a day and feel great. Thank you Dr. Bircher!

I have been with Dr. Lewis and his PA, Libby since 2014 when I broke both of my legs. They did an awesome job of taking care of me, considering I have sever osteoporosis! Over the years, my legs gradually got very bent and I walked with a bad limp until I needed a total knee replacement on both knees. Now I have very straight legs and I’m not walking with a limp! Thank you both for doing an excellent job at taking care of me. Dr. Lewis and Libby are the #1 doctor and PA in my book!

Dr. Schmiesing did my surgical knee replacement. Of course, I had some trepidation about the procedure and the recovery. It was a much easier surgery than I expected and the after-care is wonderful. Being 5 weeks out, I feel I am progressing quite well. I would highly recommend Dr. Schmiesing for any type of surgical procedure and if I need future orthopedic procedure I would definitely have him do it for me.

This testimonial is long overdue. I had both knee replacements done by Dr. Randall Lewis. One surgery took place on 10/13/21, and the second one was on 1/26/23. Both surgeries were as successful as possible seeing that I have had absolutely no problems with either knee since the procedures. The surgeries went so well that with each knee operation, I was able to walk up the stairs to my second level bedroom the night I got home.

As for Dr. Lewis, other than his surgical skill, he is very pleasant to talk with and makes one very comfortable regarding the decision to go forward with the operation. I am 85 and with the new knees, I’m able to comfortably play 18 championship holes of golf, 3 times per week and all summer long.

I am completely impressed by every facet of Twin Cities Orthopedics and am happy to share my experience. Getting a full knee replacement is a tough decision and they answered every question I posed. The surgery was a success, led by Dr. Bircher, who is supported by an incredible staff. The immediate post-treatment care could not have gone better. I felt like I was in a 5-star hotel, but more than that, it was the people working there who are so wonderful and genuine.

The physical therapy was harder than I expected but I received incredible coaching on what to do, with just the right amount of prodding. Thank you for fixing this problem which I have been dealing with for a very long time. I feel great and it is thanks to Dr. Bircher and the TCO staff!

I never got the opportunity to thank Dr. Johnson and staff for the outstanding professional medical care that you provided me during my two knee replacement surgeries. Dr. Johnson and his staff were so helpful during the process and when I did have some complications during the process he and his staff took care of me right away. There are not enough words to say how grateful I am, and thank you for the professional health care that I received from you and TCO.

I have nothing but good to say about Dr. Bircher and his entire care team! I was more than adequately educated about and prepared for my surgery beforehand. The entire process from beginning to end went smoothly. Considering what I expected, my pain was controlled and tolerable. I never would have thought in a thousand years that I would be driving again in two and a half weeks and getting around without my walker or cane in four weeks. Sixteen weeks out I feel great! I did not find the pre-surgery and post-surgery exercises at home burdensome in any way and doing them diligently really made my PT sessions productive.

So my left knee feels great after surgery and my right knee feels really good too. I’ll be doing what I can to try to keep it that way but, should my right knee deteriorate in the future I know who to contact to help me and I have no concerns about going through the process again if I have to.

I was bone on bone for years and it was time to get a new knee. Dr. Schmiesing performed the knee replacement surgery and I was walking the same day, with help of staff, who were very helpful and caring. One month later I was back at work and it’s been getting better with every day. TCO has been my go to team to take care of any problems. I will be returning to them for any further help.