Patient Testimonials

I had scheduled my knee replacement with Dr. Carlson during spring break. Since I am a teacher for MPS, I was hoping to limit how long I was out for my recovery. I prepared for my surgery by riding a stationary bike, which was suggested. I heard many stories from friends and colleagues who went through the procedure at other clinics. They told me how long my recovery was going to take, and how much pain and discomfort to expect based on their experiences. A couple of teachers I work with were out of work for over a month, and another didn’t return to school for 7 weeks.

I was very careful to follow TCO’s directions carefully, and I was back to school after 2 weeks without needing the cane or crutches that were provided. My physical therapist stopped seeing me after 2 weeks because I reached all my goals. After 2 months, you can barely see the scar on my knee. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. After my experience, I cannot imagine having this procedure anywhere else.

I read Dr. Bircher’s bio on the TCO website before I scheduled an appointment with him. I am very impressed. On the day of our surgery, as I was being prepped, he came in to greet me and asked me how I was doing. I told him I was very scared, and I started crying. I told him I prayed for him that morning. He said, “Well, we’re going to do that again.” Just like that, he wrapped me up in his arms and prayed to God that He would direct his hand.

Twice, he called me at home after the surgery to see how I was doing. Now that is what I call bedside manner. Today, I had my final meeting with him. When he came into my room, I stood up and greeted him and told him, “I am so grateful to you. I am so grateful that God gave you the skills and knowledge.” He wrapped me up and gave me another hug. How can anybody be scared of a surgeon who is going to be praying like that and caring for you? This guy is top-notch!

Dr. Dwivedi is a pleasant and informative physician, as well as a very skilled surgeon. He informed me of the post-surgical discomfort, the time needed for healing and physical therapy, as well as the likely outcome after one year. I would highly recommend him.

Lisa H. with Twin Cities Orthopedics was such a benefit in helping me get back to a normal life. With her many years of expertise as an Occupational therapist, it was super beneficial to be able to reach out to her when I needed it. The care and knowledge that was demonstrated to me during my healing journey was phenomenal. It enabled me to have some control over my healing so I could get back to normal life.

I could not say enough about Lisa as an Occupational therapist and her efforts in running the Work Conditioning program. Her attitude and dedication to each person she was with was truly amazing. Her interactions with me and other people at the Hudson location was nothing short of top-notch care and compassion. She gives her best to help everyone out.

I am so grateful for the entire team under Dr. James Bircher throughout my surgery journey. He listened to my needs and set me up for surgery when it was right for me. He is personable. I know I can always trust him, and he will be there looking out for my best interests. I could not be happier with my knee replacement, and I would highly recommend Dr. James Bircher and Twin Cities Orthopedics.

Dr. Diekman replaced my right hip about 11 years ago. Now, I need the left hip replaced. I’m willing to drive 2 hours to have him replace it. I know others who have had hips or knees replaced by him, and they are extremely confident in his work. He is an excellent doctor!

Sara Milner is an absolute rockstar as a movement specialist as well as a strength and conditioning coach! I came to her nervous about deadlifting since I was convinced I would end up injured, but Sara completely changed my perspective. She patiently taught me proper form and broke it down for me with clear explanations. I now love deadlifting and get a real thrill from pushing my limits safely. Sara’s expertise transformed me from dealing with pain and low strength to building serious power and cardio conditioning.

She also created stretching plans that worked wonders for my back pain, specially designed with exercises I can do anywhere to boost my lung capacity and strength. As a volunteer firefighter, I need to be at my peak, both physically and safely. Sara’s tailored approach has been a game-changer. From fun workouts and bike rides to HIIT and Pilates, she’s helped me build a lifestyle that keeps me strong, confident, and ready to serve. Sara’s guidance is top-notch, and I cannot recommend her enough!

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!

I cannot recommend Kylie Ryan enough as a dietitian! Over the past year, she’s been an incredible guide in helping me lower my ApoB, lose weight, and gain muscle simultaneously. Kylie’s patience and attentiveness made all the difference. She listened to my countless questions and provided clear, practical advice. Her simple quantity adjustments to my diet were easy to follow and highly effective. It made the plan sustainable and tailored to my needs. Kylie’s expertise and supportive approach have truly transformed my health journey. Thank you, Kylie!

Thank you, Dr. Traynor and the PT staff at TCO Maple Grove, for the excellent care you gave me after I broke my ankle this winter. Dr. Traynor was caring, professional, and did a great job explaining that my injury would require surgery to fix it. Even though I’m sure he has many other patients, he took time to explain exactly what needed to be done and what the healing process would entail. Thanks to Dr. Traynor, his assistant Logan, and the team at Maple Grove TCO, my recovery is going well. I couldn’t be more pleased with the service I received.