Patient Testimonials

I suffered with pain in my right shoulder for several years due to arthritis and eventually was in constant pain. It was disrupting my sleep and kept me from activities I used to enjoy. Dr. Kelly provided me with the treatment options, including full shoulder replacement surgery. At age 58, I wasn’t looking forward to surgery and weeks of recovery, but in August 2014 I took the plunge. I couldn’t be happier with every aspect of my choice to have Dr. Kelly and his team perform my surgery. I have known Dr. Kelly for several years and have found him to be an extremely talented surgeon who takes the time to answer my questions and help me decide what will be best for me. Because Dr. Kelly arranged my surgery through the EXCEL program, the entire process was extremely well-planned and coordinated. My surgery experience only took a few hours at the Crosstown Surgery Center in Edina, with a one-night hotel-like stay in a wonderful facility with a private room and fantastic nursing care. I was relaxed and slept very well that night (as compared to no sleep during previous stays in a hospital). The surgery went as smoothly as Dr. Kelly and Kaici had explained and my recovery went much faster and easier than I had ever anticipated. Within 6 weeks of surgery, I was using my shoulder for most of my normal day-to-day activities, and the shoulder continued to gain strength and rotation from the physical therapy and exercises. I have re-gained full use of my shoulder and don’t even think about it anymore. I was washing windows this spring and smiled because I realized I was using my right arm/shoulder – something I would not have done a year ago. I’m not sure why I waited so long to get it done! Everyone from the reception staff, the surgical team and recovery nurses were outstanding – their personal touch and genuine caring made me feel like a VIP! The EXCEL program was a blessing because it allowed me to get through joint replacement with minimal disruption in my life. For anyone considering any kind of orthopedic surgery, I would encourage you to consider Twin Cities Orthopedics. Dr. Kelly and TCO will always be my first and only choice for orthopedic care!

My knee replacement with Dr. Kelly and the EXCEL program is one of the best medical experiences I’ve ever had. From the check- in at the surgery center to the discharge at York Gardens, everything was just wonderful. The staff is excellent. Every single doctor, nurse, therapist, and aide was a highly skilled professional who delivered such great care. I never sat around waiting for help – there was always someone right there when I needed them. There was also really good communication between all the team members so they were always up to speed on what was happening with me. There were so many small details that added up to big differences. Like no hospital gowns (!) I was given comfortable athletic wear instead. And I had the same two nurses the whole time at the rehab facility – one of them even came along in the van to pick me up from the surgery center. I felt so well cared for every step of the way. I would recommend this program to anybody who is considering surgery. It was truly outstanding.

Dr. Kelly –

I want thank you, and let you know how much I appreciate all that you have done for me. I know it’s going to take me a while to get back to normal, but before you know it, I’ll be on that motorcycle in no time. You and your staff have been terrific.

Kaici has been wonderful. She was always quick to respond to every message and request that my wife, Debbie and I have made. Debbie needed a form filed out by the doctor for FMLA leave at work. Kaici e-mailed the completed form within a couple of hours, in spite of her busy schedule. Thank you, Kaici.

Justina was a huge help in getting all our questions answered about physical therapy and my care at York Gardens. It was nice of her to visit me during my stay and introduce herself. She even stuck around on my last day, until Debbie got there so she could meet her also. Debbie said this busy woman needs an assistant to help her with all her messages. Thank you, Justina.

The nurses at York Gardens, Andrea, Margaret, Stacy, Michelle and Laura (PT) were all wonderful. Andrea reminded me so much of my daughter-in-law who is a registered nurse in California. They all took such good care of me. They are also very good listeners. Thanks to all of you.

My experience with TCO was a very positive experience. I first went there in January of 2014 when I fell at work and tore my rotator cuff. Dr. Kelly was my physician. I had surgery in February to repair the tear. I shared with Dr. Kelly that I had planned to get my knee replacement in the spring and was disappointed that it wouldn’t happen. His reply was, “oh we can do that.” He told me he also did knees and depending on my recovery from shoulder surgery, it could probably be done in May.

Well, I had a great recovery and while still getting physical therapy, discussed having the knee replacement done.

The staff was very excited to tell me that I would qualify to go through the EXCEL program. Not having to be in the hospital was very appealing and having a class about the procedure was very helpful. York Gardens, where you go for recovery, was a beautiful and very comfortable facility!

The surgery went well, and it was very comforting to have Dr. Kelly and Lindsay in the operating room. Going to the room at York Gardens was so nice and the staff there was very helpful and pleasant.

The physical therapist was patient but yet encouraged me to do what I needed to do. The food was very tasty. I felt I was in an apartment and not in a hospital room.

I would, and have, recommended the EXCEL program to people who need a knee replacement. I appreciate all the help I got from all of the staff. From the appointment desk to the physical therapists, and everything in between, I am very happy with the experience and outcome!

Twin Cities Orthopedics,

I had my left hip totally replaced on March 20th, 2017. This was my second hip replacement, and I was invited to participate in the EXCEL program at TCO, where I would be having my surgery and recovery done in a non-hospital setting. It was a great way to get this done. My surgery was scheduled early in the morning at the surgery center, and after coming out of the anesthesia, I was brought by van to an assisted living facility. There, I had a room to myself with my care giving staff in the room next to mine. They provided excellent around the clock care including checking on my well being and physical therapy sessions. I was ready to go home by 11:00am the very next day.

The staff members I came into contact with through the entire process were all great! Very professional and caring people that were, in my opinion, some of the best care givers out there. I had Dr. O’Keefe as my surgeon and he did a great job with my hip replacement (he had done my right hip back in 2014 as well).

I’d surely recommend the EXCEL program for anyone qualified to do it. For me, it was a great way to get my hip replacement done. I’m enjoying being able to do the activities I enjoy a lot more comfortably now.

Thanks,
Michael C.

In August 2016, I was having surgery on my ankle at Maple Grove Hospital.  While talking to the nurses, I mentioned that I needed to have knee replacement surgery but wasn’t sure what doctor to go to. They encouraged me to not wait to have knee replacement surgery because having it right away would improve my quality of life. The nurses highly recommended Dr. Brian O’Neill.  After healing from my ankle surgery, I made an appointment to see Dr. O’Neill.  I liked his approach and knew that when the time came that I would have him replace my knees. I had a total right knee replacement on in July, 2017.  I was fortunate to be part of the Excel program.  The nurses and staff at the hospital and Excel program were fantastic, I couldn’t have asked for better care.  I’m happy to report that after 8 weeks, I have returned to my normal routine.  My recovery from knee replacement surgery has far exceeded my expectations, my pain was well managed and I had great range of motion from the very beginning.  I am grateful to Dr. O’Neill and his team.  I still have my left knee to replace and plan to return to Dr. O’Neill when that time comes.

I am a 47-year-old female that had my right hip replaced in April 2016. Dr. Comfort encouraged me to have the replacement when my quality of life was impacted. That time came and I am so glad that I had the operation. I have been pain free since the operation and far more active than I have been in years. Dr. Comfort genuinely wanted to improve my quality of life and for that, I thank him. The entire experience with Dr. Comfort, the TCO team and the EXCEL Program was excellent.

This summer, after years of arthritic pain and cortisone shots, I finally summoned up the courage to have my shoulders replaced. I can’t begin to thank Dr. Kelly enough. I knew within a day of the surgery that things were going to eventually get better. It was amazing! Within just two weeks, I wanted to get the other shoulder done. Dr. Kelly agreed to do the other one 7 weeks later. I teasingly say it’s like a miracle, but in a way, it truly is. For me it’s been life changing. I’m down to just 2 Advil a day – which I can’t believe. The weird cracking sounds I could hear in my body are GONE! I’m able to clean my house, get dressed, and do all sorts of things that were so painful before. The best thing of all – I can sleep comfortably again! What a difference. I would recommend Dr. Kelly to anyone. He and his PA, Lindsey Anderson, are excellent – not just for the surgery itself, but for all the follow up. I have really benefited from the Twin Cities Orthopedics EXCEL program.

Randy Wittman, former NBA player and coach, had been experiencing continual knee and hip pain for 20-plus years before he came to Twin Cities Orthopedics’ Brian O’Neill. Dr. O’Neill performed hip surgery for Randy, and then a knee replacement 6 weeks later.

With help from TCO’s EXCEL Program and Dr. O’Neill, Randy was able to return to his regular lifestyle, traveling, playing golf, and walking without pain. “I’ve gone through a lot of surgeries—back, three knee replacement operations—and the EXCEL Program was the best. It wasn’t like being in a hospital. I went from the surgery to a private suite, and was connected to a nurse for the whole process of both my hip and knee—that nurse is like a sister to me now,” says Wittman. “And for insurance and billing, you get one bill. That’s it, at the end of the process. It made everything so much easier for me to use the EXCEL Program.”

*Randy Wittman’s story was featured in the September ’16 Issue of MPLS St. Paul Magazine. See more here

The EXCEL program sounded too good to be true. However, I had a nice comfortable suite, no ugly hospital gown and I felt much more at ease than in a hospital. Instead of feeling exhausted when leaving the hospital after surgery, I felt somewhat rested and closer to “normal.” I even got to drink a coke!

I highly recommend the EXCEL program. The care was great and I felt very comfortable there.

I am an active person and a professional gardener. I was able to work this spring after having surgery at the end of January. I got a lot of support and encouragement from Dr. Mair and Erin. I am even planning a backpacking trip this fall. Last year I was afraid these things would not be possible.