Patient Testimonials

Dr. Deal performed surgery on my neck (discectomy and fusion C5 and/or C6) in December 2015. I have degenerative disc disease, had a herniated disc, suddenly last year I was in total pain. My symptoms were getting worse (right arm was going numb, severe neck pain, headaches). They were making it hard to do any type of exercise or sports, even work was a struggle. My family is very athletic and outdoors. I was slowly missing out because of the pain. I cannot tolerate pain medication so that was not even an option. I couldn’t ride my bike more than a few minutes without my arm going numb. I couldn’t keep up with my children. However, Dr. Deal changed all that. I just had my 6 month appointment a few days ago and my x-rays look good. I was given the OK to start jogging again, along with anything else I want to do.

I have been pain free and have not had any numbness in my arm since the surgery. Yesterday I started jogging again. I did a slow, short jog with a friend. Afterward, he said, “Did you realize this is your first time out since last summer and you could go farther than you did last year?”. I realized YES! Truth! This is after no exercising for the last 6 months! A few stretches here and there, slow walking (no power walks). I am simply amazed by Dr. Deal’s work. He knew exactly what needed to be done to get me back to my previous state. I can bike with the kids and not have to stop due to numbness in my arm or pain. Our family is so grateful. Anyone living with chronic pain knows that it is a struggle to just get out of bed some days. When pain is inside the body but not noticeable to the outside world, life can be a struggle. People (even those closest to you) do not and cannot possibly understand. I am happy to say I do not have chronic pain anymore! I am still amazed at how I feel only 6 months after the surgery. My scar is hardly noticeable. I have more energy. Overall, I feel like a new person. Thank you Dr. Deal!

On April 28 I was operated on for a herniated disk by Dr. Deal. I was in severe pain and any movement would bring tears to my eyes and was making life unbearable. Thanks to Dr. Deal, after a few hours under his care I was able to walk and started on the road back to a normal life. I would highly recommend Dr. Deal if you want relief from back pain. Thanks again Dr. Deal.

I had neck surgery by Eric Deal on April 21st 2016. I had a herniated disc between # 6 and 7 vertebra. The pain was unbearable. I was taking pain medication every 4.5 to 5 hours just to be able to deal with the pain. The day of surgery, my arm had such pain that I couldn’t stop moving it around just to try and find a comfortable spot, which I couldn’t find. After the surgery, the pain was gone! Not most of it, ALL of it. I was amazed. I spent the night at the clinic to be watched by a nurse. They told me that I was the only one that night. The nurses came in special for me. The Twin Cities Orthopedics clinic fit me in their very busy schedule just because Eric saw the pain I was in, or that is the way I see it. Nurses came in special just to take care of me. I owe everything to Twin Cities Orthopedics, and their team of workers for the level of care they gave me, and I believe they must give every patient as well.
I would send everyone with neck, back, shoulder, or hip pain to them. I am so grateful that the surgery went so well. Now I am on the mend to full recovery, and have no pain at all.

Thank you Eric Deal and the complete staff at Twin cities Orthopedics for a job very well done!

Dr. Deal is fantastic! I was referred to him after an MRI indicated a herniated disc in my C5/C6 area and non-surgical procedures failed to alleviate the pain that radiated down my right arm.

During our first visit, he was patient enough to walk me through my options, his recommendation (Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion), and the specifics of what all of that entailed… and he did it in a way that was easy to understand! It’s obvious that he is thoughtful in his practice and genuinely cares about his patients. Though he was patient enough to answer all of my questions during that visit, I think he realized I was anxious about the procedure and he personally returned a message with some additional questions I had left for his care coordinator. I thought that was pretty amazing and he has demonstrated that patience and commitment to my care in the post-op recovery visits as well.

I underwent the ACDF surgery in March 2016 and had immediate pain relief. I’m so grateful for Dr. Deal’s care and would highly recommend him to anyone in need of an orthopedic spine surgeon!

In October of 2014, I was rear-ended by a person who was distracted by his phone. Immediately I had neck and shoulder pain from the trauma. After months of treatment at Twin Cities Orthopedics on my shoulder, the pain continued and I was losing feeling in my right arm more frequently. After an MRI, I was diagnosed with a herniated disc in CS/C6 area of my cervical spine. I was referred to Dr. Deal for treatment. He spent a lot of time with me trying to avoid surgery (injections, physical therapy) but in the end surgery was needed. He worked within my schedule of upcoming international travel to get the surgery done and have me healed enough to travel.
Dr. Deal did a fantastic job with my surgery. I had instant pain relief from the surgery and needed very little pain medication. His staff and the nurses at the MN Valley Surgical Center were incredible. Dr. Deal spends the necessary time with you at all appointments to answer questions and also make sure that you are healing appropriately.
I would highly recommend him to anyone with Spine issues.

In February 2015, I was suffering severe pain from my lower back down to my feet in both legs and was in need of relief. That’s when I was referred to Dr. Deal and will be forever grateful. He diagnosed my problem after x-rays and a CT scan (I cannot have MRIs), explained his diagnosis in detail along with a plan. I was scheduled for surgery within a week; my problem was between L4-L5; he scraped away the arthritis and took out two cysts and placed a rod between L4-L5. Within 48 hours after surgery, I no longer experienced any pain in my back or legs. I could not believe it; it was so much more than I ever expected.

I would highly recommend Dr. Deal for anyone needing spinal surgery. He is competent, thorough and compassionate, everything you want in a surgeon.

Dr. Deal is truly the real deal! I had serious back issues. Dr. Deal diagnosed my issues with an MRI and X-rays. He then told me I was a candidate for surgery. I had been trying chiropractic and cortisone shots without relief. Dr. Deal took more than enough time to explain pre and post operation info. Everything he talked about was right to the point. Recovery from the pain was instant from the moment I woke up after surgery. I would highly recommend Twin Cities Orthopedics, Dr. Deal, and his staff. Thank you for giving me my lifestyle back!

I am so grateful to Dr. DuBois. He quickly diagnosed my spine problem and explained, in terms I could understand as a lay person, the surgery needed to correct my problem. I had surgery on a Friday, and Dr. DuBois had a family obligation in Wisconsin over the weekend. I received calls in the hospital from him on Saturday and Sunday to inquire how I was doing. I am now 4 months out of surgery and doing great! Dr. DuBois is a brilliant surgeon, came highly recommended from my primary care clinic, as well as a caring compassionate human being. I would highly recommend him for anyone needing back/spine surgery.

Just had my one year checkup with Dr. Deal following surgery on February 17, 2015 to remove a synovial cyst at L4, L5 which included a spinal fusion. I highly recommend Dr. Deal to anyone with back/spinal issues. My surgery went very well, my recovery has been complete and I couldn’t be happier with my choice to have Dr. Deal as my orthopedic surgeon. I found him to be caring, competent, professional and very skilled.

My recent back surgery was very successful. I feel better than I have for several years; I am able to go up and down stairs without any pain. I am looking forward to being able to do things I have not been able to do because of my back issues and pain. I thank Dr. Deal and Twin Cities Orthopedics for the great work they do.