Patient Testimonials

I am beyond grateful for my physical therapists and doctor here at TCO, especially Dr. Hess, Christian Goetz, and Thane Widmer. They helped me get back out onto the field/court.

Here is a little bit about my story. I go to Elk River High School, and play football and basketball. I tore my ACL in my first basketball game of the season in December of 2023. Dr. Hess performed surgery on my torn ACL and the entire process went very smoothly. We were very familiar with Dr. Hess because he also was my surgeon for my torn labrum just 9 months earlier!

The ACL recovery process was long and hard but Christian helped keep things fun through the ACE Strength and Sport program. I enjoyed showing up to it, even under the circumstances of being hurt. It also helped that I went through the whole recovery process with one of my best friends, who also tore his ACL.

By participating in the ACE Return to Sport program, it helped me get back on the football field in time for the season. Thanks to the guidance of Christian and Thane, I was able to play the full season, which culminated in winning a state championship!

I couldn’t be happier with the results of my total hip replacement. Dr. Bircher and his staff at Twin Cities Orthopedics along with the entire medical team at Maple Grove Hospital provided outstanding care. I received a thorough explanation of the entire process and all treatment options available to me. All my questions were answered, and I felt very comfortable moving ahead with the procedure. Thanks to the professionalism and expertise of the entire team, my hip pain has gone away, and I am back to living my normal life. Thank you Dr. Bircher and team!

Dr. Michael R. Johnson is a great asset to the TCO community. I immediately felt I was in the best of hands. He has extensive experience in hip replacement surgery, explains things well and has a caring bedside manner. Dr. Johnson gave me a hip injection to bridge me to surgery. The hip injection gave me immediate relief. I was able to put on 20,000 steps at the state fair the following day!

It was a great surgical experience from anesthesia, perfect spinal, pain control, physical therapy, and the overnight stay with the EXCEL program. I am six weeks post-surgery and thanks to Dr. Johnson and team, I’ll be out on the pickleball courts soon!

Dr. Schmiesing was phenomenal all the way through, from my initial knee consult until my last appointment with him. I first went to see Dr. Schmiesing after a referral from a colleague whose daughter had recently seen him. I was able to schedule with him almost immediately and from the very beginning he was very welcoming and helpful. He explained everything to me thoroughly, and his entire team was always so responsive and helpful anytime I needed anything or had questions. I would definitely see him again, if needed, or recommend him to friends or family!

I had a great experience with my total knee replacement, done by Dr. Edward Szalapski and his team. It was the best experience by far when it comes to having a surgery. From day one of meeting Dr. Szalapski and staff, to scheduling the surgery, recovery, and therapy, it was all amazing. If you follow what you are told to do and not what you think you should do, you will have an excellent recovery like I did (and its only been eight weeks). I already have my next appointment set up for my other knee replacement. Thank you again for the great job.

Three months ago, Dr. Shashank Dwivedi performed surgery on my injured pinky finger joint. Previously, I was barely able to bend my pinky. Now, three months after the surgery and hand therapy I received at TCO, I can bend my pinky in a fist. It seems just about completely back to normal. I think Dr. Dwivedi did a great job, and I am very happy with the results.

I have been seeing Dr. Jeffrey Mair at TCO for my orthopedic concerns for quite a few years based on a friend referral. I made the right choice in having Dr. Mair as my orthopedic surgeon. It was time to have my right knee replaced. Dr. Mair completed the surgery in the spring of 2024 and I have had great results. My surgery was completed at the Two Twelve Surgery Center in Chaska through TCO and I went through their EXCEL Program. The care I received from Dr. Mair, his staff, and everyone in the EXCEL Program was great. My scar is nearly unnoticeable and I’m more than happy with my new knee. I will be having my other knee replaced by Dr. Mair and I will again be going through their EXCEL Program. I have recommended Dr. Mair and TCO to others and will continue to recommend them. I am confident my next surgery will go as great as my first one.

Dr. Etasha Bhatt is very knowledgeable and friendly, helped me understand what my options were and we made a plan for future care. Highly recommend.

I went 36 years of life without any surgeries. I finally broke my wrist snowboarding, went to TCO because I had heard good things. Dr. Mark Fischer took care of it quickly, it was a good experience. I ran my thumb through a table saw shortly after the wrist healed. I then snapped the tendon as soon as I began using it again, and seeking a specialist like Dr. Fischer helped repaired the tendon and used the opportunity to remove the metal plate in my wrist from our prior surgery. His physical therapy team was great, and everything works as it should. See a specialist, get it done right the first time.

I am extremely grateful to Dr. Jeffrey Mair for my total knee replacement February of 2024. I can honestly say that my whole life has changed for the better! I was in constant pain and avoided standing or walking as much as I could because of how painful and difficult it was for me. After 8 months, I was able to take a European River Cruise, which included 14,000 to 17,000 steps daily on cobblestone!! I had no pain whatsoever. I am grateful every time I get up without having to think about pain, and I am grateful every time I get into my car and can just bring my legs in without pain and tears. Thank you!!