Patient Testimonials

Luke’s TCO Comeback Story takes us back to June 26, 2018. Most parents assume that at some point in their athlete’s career, there will be minor injuries along the way. Fortunately, most parents won’t have to experience a major injury suffered by their child. Unfortunately, for our son, Luke, he did suffer a major injury. Luke tore his ACL in his left knee while playing basketball. At first, we were all hopeful that it wasn’t anything too serious, maybe just a small meniscus tear, but after a trip to TCO Urgent Care and then a follow up a week later with Dr. Thomas Conner, MD., we were unfortunately given the bad news.

We were told in our consultation with Dr. Conner that Luke would not be able to participate in any sports his junior year, he would be out of sports for 9-12 months. A tough thing to hear for a young man who had a great sophomore year of basketball – being named MVP his sophomore year and chosen as a captain for his junior year – and very excited for the upcoming season.

On July 24, 2018 (2 days before Luke’s 17th birthday) he underwent his ACL surgery. Dr. Conner and his team were amazing and we were very pleased with the surgery results and the care he received. While the first few days of post-surgery were not fun or easy for Luke, he got through those days with visits, messages and phone calls from caring family, friends, teammates and coaches.

Luke met Tyler Douglass, PT 6 days after surgery for his first physical therapy session. Immediately I could tell that Luke was very comfortable with Tyler and that they would hit it off. Tyler explained and talked to Luke in a way that worked best for a 17-year-old. Tyler was very focused on Luke, his plan for Luke, and he pushed Luke to work hard, do his best and keep going. He explained to Luke that there would be challenging and frustrating times ahead, but to push through. As Luke’s Mom, I appreciated the care and concern that Tyler gave Luke. Tyler has gone above and beyond. He has encouraged and supported Luke and we will be forever grateful for all he has done and continues to do, as Luke still checks in with Tyler periodically since he still has a few months left to go.

At Luke’s 3-month mark, he had an incredible opportunity (brought to us by Tyler) to go to the Training HAUS in Eagan to have his knee tested and see how PT was going for Luke and where his knee was at physically. We were so impressed with their wonderful staff who worked with Luke, especially Michael Kiely. Luke was put through some rigorous tests, using state of the art equipment, given so much support and some frank honesty from Michael about doing your PT, staying on track, getting stronger, holding yourself accountable and working hard. Those words that were shared with Luke have been very meaningful and motivational.

Luke continued seeing Tyler very frequently until about 4 months post op. At 4 months, we decided to sign Luke up for the STAR program, on the recommendation from Dr. Conner and Tyler. Luke worked very closely with Stephen Thorkildson during this program. What an amazing program for Luke! Luke and a few others were basically “piloting” this program. At this point, the high school basketball season had started for Luke and his teammates and it was tough on Luke. Luke would go to practices to watch and support his teammates and then have to leave early on the days he had PT and/or STAR. Luke was very dedicated on getting stronger and he had great results! Since he couldn’t be playing basketball, it was important for him to have another activity to feed a new passion. Luke had great results at his 6-month testing at the Training HAUS and everyone was thrilled to know that STAR was working for Luke and his commitment and dedication to rehab was paying off.

It was then decided that Luke was finished with STAR after reaching the goals he needed to. He then moved on to the ACE program, where he worked with Eric Seppelt and Nicole Sheehan. Luke started this program the middle of February and is enjoying being able to do more sport specific activities! As a parent, it is very reassuring to have all of these wonderful opportunities like the STAR and ACE programs and we would highly recommend them.

Luke has remained very determined through this whole process, which is not always easy for a 17-year-old. He knows how important his PT and rehab is and that it is all crucial to being able to return back to sport. We are hopeful and optimistic that this summer he will be back on the basketball court, ready to go. As parents, it may be a bit nerve wracking at first to watch him, but we will know that physically, Luke’s knee will be ready. And for that, we thank every single TCO employee who has pushed and supported Luke. He still has a few months to go, his Comeback Story isn’t quite over, but it has been an inspiring one so far! A quote I have leaned on over these past months “Every setback is a setup for a comeback. God wants to bring you out better than you were before.” We are so proud of our son Luke, and so thankful to TCO!

Dr. Owen O’Neill is one of the best! I highly recommend him and his staff. The whole experience was as good as it gets for having a major surgery. Although uncommon in the medical industry these days, Dr. O’Neill has excellent bedside manner and does a great job actually listening to the patient. He takes the time to educate you on the procedure and the materials that will be used, and to address concerns you may have. He is an excellent surgeon and he did an amazing job on my anterior hip replacement.

I had lived with bone on bone pain for nearly 3 years before having surgery. I did lots of physical therapy and was able to greatly reduce the pain I was experiencing. However I was still greatly restricted in my activities, movement, and flexibility. I could barely reach my shoes to tie them. I thought my pain level was tolerable, but after having the surgery and having no pain for months now, I realize the pain was really dragging down many aspects of my life, my energy level, and my general demeanor. It’s been 8 months now and I’m feeling 10 years younger. I’m able to walk normally, jog and run, do all my gardening, and am very active again. The surgery really did change my life.

Thanks again to Dr. O’Neill and to his entire team. They are amazing!

When I was 7, I was diagnosed with a rare childhood hip disease- Legg Calve Perthes Disease. Basically, the ball of the femur loses its blood supply for unknown reasons and the bone grows back flattened and does not fit into the hip socket correctly. As a child, I spent a year and a half wearing a leg brace to try and keep the ball of my hip round. This never really caused a tremendous amount of pain until much later in life. By age 29, the pain had really settled in. I had seen 4 orthopedic surgeons in Iowa before finally meeting Dr. Larson at TCO. He performed arthroscopic surgery on my hip in 2015 and suggested a physical therapist to help regain strength. It has been 4 years since my surgery, yet, I gladly drive the 8 hour round trip to visit TCO 3-5 times a year just to check in with Margi and Dr. Larson’s team. They know exactly how to offer support and keep my hip moving. While my hip will never be perfect, I cannot emphasize enough how much of an improved lifestyle I have as a result of their efforts. I no longer live in constant pain. I am forever grateful to Margi and Dr. Larson.

My hip surgeries by Dr. Knowlan have restored full functionality with no pain. It is a night and day difference that totally eliminated my pain.

MY COMEBACK JOURNEY

As the wheelchair carried me through the Twin Cities Orthopedics (TCO) Urgent Care door, my thoughts kept returning to the moment on the bike trail where I crashed while bicycle riding. While waiting to be seen by the nurse practitioner (NP), my thoughts drifted back to the beginning of the bike ride, where I visualized the beautiful crisp fall day, until I was jolted back to reality from the searing pain I was experiencing from the bike accident.

“What exactly happened to cause the bike accident?” asked the NP.

“I have no memory of it,” I said. “I recall riding on the Gateway Bike Trail when suddenly I was out of control and slammed on to the asphalt, losing consciousness.”

The NP began gently assessing me noting bruising and swelling over the right clavicle and shoulder, the left hand and wrist, and the right hip to the knee. X-rays were taken and a follow up appointment was scheduled with Dr. Knowlan.

Dr. Knowlan’s assessment determined I had a Grade I AC joint separation and a large hematoma of the right thigh. He suggested an MRI of the left hand/wrist since I was still swollen, bruised and tender to the touch. The MRI revealed a fractured left scaphoid. Dr. Knowlan referred me to Dr. Karlstad for follow up with the fractured scaphoid.

Three months past when Dr. Karlstad determined that the scaphoid was fused enough that I could transition from a cast to a custom-made removable splint. At this time, hand physical therapy (PT) was added to my list of rehabilitation routine.

My rehabilitation journey began with concussion PT at the Training HAUS since I was diagnosed with a concussion by the neurologist. The physical therapist designed a program so I could begin to walk on the treadmill and regain my strength.

Each day I tackled the various tasks before me on the road towards recovery. There were so many activities that I struggled to do or could not do such as driving, working, walking my dogs, preparing meals, cleaning my house, fall cleanup in the yard, changing the sheets on my bed, volunteering at church or as a therapy dog handler, and training with my triathlon group. My frustration would wax and wane as each week passed.

Four weeks post-accident, the physical therapist stated that I could begin to drive. I recall walking to my car after my PT session and informing my friend, who drove me, that I was going to drive home. I felt a sense of triumph that not only was I able to drive but I was slowly regaining my independence. During this time frame I was able to walk half of a mile.

My walking distance increased to 1-1.5 miles by the tenth week, and preparing my own meals was more doable. I was able to start swimming and riding a stationary bike in my cast. I was little by little making a comeback.

As the weeks went by and I was able to walk longer distances, my left foot began to hurt. I made an appointment with Dr. Clair. He determined that I had cuboid syndrome. He felt that when I was thrown forward over the bike’s handle bars that my foot, being cleated to the bike pedal, popped out of the pedal hard enough to contribute to the diagnosis. Foot PT was added to my rehabilitation journey.

Several times a week I would visit TCO for doctor and PT appointments. Twenty-one weeks after the bike accident, the scaphoid fracture had healed enough so I did not need to wear the splint. I had both hands free. I could finally walk my two dogs and put a fitted sheet on the mattress.

Returning to work as a nurse anesthetist after 25 weeks was an incredible victory. I wondered every week during my rehabilitation if I would be able to preform my job. Exhausted at the end of my first day, I smiled at my accomplishments knowing I was back.

The TCO team has been supportive and encouraging throughout my feat of weekly rehabilitation. As I reflect over the past 6 months, I know the TCO crew, who have been a pivotal role in my rehabilitation comeback, were (are) smiling with me each step of the way through my journey to recovery.

In 2015, I had a severe knee injury in a football game. I had been playing semi-pro woman’s football for about 4 years. My initial surgery was done at another Ortopedic practice. The second injury occurred 18 months later (also in a football game), after I was told my knee was stronger than it had been pre-injury, and I returned to the same practice. My knee did not heal correctly and therefore I had a 3rd surgery (all on the same knee, all by the same practice). I went in for my 1 year check up after surgery #3 and was told I would need a 4th surgery because it still wasn’t right. I was advised by Kim Kotila to get an opinion from Dr. Larson, which he was kind enough to do in a very prompt manor. He also advised surgery, but I immediately felt much more confident in his methods and therefore scheduled with him. I had surgery #4 at TCO on Aug 22nd. I am thrilled to say that 8 months post surgery I can stand with no pain, I can run and jump with full motion/mobility and, although I will never play football professionally again, I am playing volleyball and participating in everything I enjoy –  pain free with no restriction. THANK YOU Dr. Larson and the whole TCO staff! You are life changing!

I came in due to an infection in my finger. Through the whole process, Dr. Butterfield made me feel comfortable. He made it easy to understand everything and came up with a good recovery plan for me. I would recommend him to family and friends. Dr. Butterfield and the whole clinic staff – from receptionists, to nurses, etc. – were great and friendly.

In November of 2018, I fell while running. I sprained my wrist and sustained a concussion. One month later, I collapsed in my home, broke my collarbone in four places, got another concussion, plus the unpleasant gift of vertigo. Needless to say, this was an unexpected and disruptive experience to my very busy life. I enjoyed yoga, lifting weights, and running. Now I was required to lay low and heal. My life was a little unclear at the time, due to the concussions. I was referred to Dr. Adam Bakker. I was impressed that he approached me in a person-centered way; interested in what was important to me instead of just important for me. Likely knowing I was struggling from the concussions, he was very thoughtful and thorough as he explained the surgical process to me ahead of time, at the time of the surgery, and during the after care process. Because I had broken my collarbone in four places, I was pretty uncomfortable. He and TCO scheduled me for surgery right away at TCO Eagan – Viking Lakes. That is a very wonderful facility.

Even though he was a very busy man, Dr. Bakker made me feel like his time with me was important and that I was important. Dr. Bakker was aware of my desire to return to my previous activity level. He was sensitive about this, letting me know I couldn’t resume these activities right away since I had to allow my body time to heal, but also letting me know I would get my activities back after I healed. Today, I am back. I am grateful, stronger and better for my experience. Because of Dr. Bakker, I was able to return to my previous activity level. I am running, riding bike, lifting weights, and even doing down dog in yoga class. He was right – I would get what was important to me, my activities, back. Thank you, Dr. Bakker and thank you, TCO for having a true professional him in your employ!

My brother and I were born with cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic condition in which the body produces thick, sticky mucus that can clog the lungs. Growing up on a farm south of Fargo-Moorhead, we were just your typical active kids, playing softball, basketball, and football. As a girl, I loved football, and even played on the boy’s tackle football team in through 9th grade. I continued my basketball and pole vaulting careers at the University of Minnesota, Morris, while also playing numerous intramurals. During my junior year, the first devastating injury occurred while I was playing intramural flag football. I made a cut to avoid the defender and hyperextended my knee. I knew instantly I had torn my right ACL, and I was right.

I remember distinctly after the tear that my first concern was not for my knee, but my lungs. Physical activity is crucial for maintaining good airway clearance with CF, and I was worried that the long rehabilitation period would decrease my lung function to a new low and potentially never return to the pre-injury level. Within two weeks, I was diagnosed, had surgery and was in physical therapy in Morris, MN. I rehabbed diligently and sat out the entire basketball season, which was even more difficult because I had finally earned a starting role. During the rehab process, needing a way to maintain my lung function lead me to a competitive outlet in triathlons. Swimming straight, running straight and biking straight were safer for my ACL, but I missed cutting sports, especially football. The following year, I returned to basketball, playing my senior year and leading the team to a birth in the national tournament; however, my range of motion never fully returned and knee pain persisted.

In 2017, three years after my ACL tear, I signed with the Minnesota Vixen, a women’s semi-professional American football team based in Minneapolis. Every practice, scrimmage and game left me feeling energized and alive, like I was playing the sport I was meant to play. I loved it and played very well in the first four games of my rookie season as an outside linebacker. I intercepted and returned three passes for a touchdown. Then, while playing our rivals in Kansas City, I made a cut to tackle an opponent and felt my right leg give way. Trainers misdiagnosed the injury as a hamstring spasm, but I knew deep down that my ACL was gone, again. I found myself looking down the long, bleak road of 9-12 months of physical therapy and possibly never touching the field again. Another period of time where I both needed to rehab my knee and somehow maintain my lung function. I did it once, I could do it again.

I remember talking to my dad on the phone right after the injury. “Maybe you shouldn’t play football again,” he suggested softly. I wasn’t expecting my gut reaction to be so strong. I just knew I had to play again. “No,” I said, “I’m going to work my butt off and be ready for the next season. I’m going to do it because I can and because I love football.” He understood and told me to get working.

I had my ACL surgery, using the patellar graft this time, with TCO surgeon, Dr. Corey A. Wulf, less than two weeks after the injury. Within a week I was on the sidelines of the football field, cheering for my teammates at every practice and every game. Beyond rehab, I devoted myself to any type of fitness I could do to keep my lung function high, including crutching to the grocery store and back. My physical therapist told me I would be back running within 8 weeks, and with her help, I was. In March 2018, nine months after the surgery, I was cleared to play football, just in time for the Vixen’s first football game of the season. I definitely did not feel fully recovered, but was able to do my job on the field. However, I suffered from excruciating knee pain stemming from the patellar tendon. This pain kept me from using proper mechanics, reduced me to tears while driving, and persisted even during sleep. After trying self-training and a few places around the Twin Cities with no luck, I feared this was a pain I would have to live with for the rest of my life.

I kept searching for the help I needed, and ultimately found the solution at Training HAUS, which had just opened in Eagan. Training at “the HAUS” has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I started going to Training HAUS four mornings a week. There, I found out that my surgical leg had barely 50% of the strength of my non-surgical leg and that I had been severely overcompensating for the entirety of my 2018 football season. I was extremely fortunate to not have torn my ACL yet again, all-while helping the Vixen reach the national championship game and earning All-American status in the process. At the Training HAUS, Chris and Michael continually worked to develop the best possible customized plan to improve my quad strength, reducing my knee pain, and to make me performance-ready for the upcoming football season, which started in April. Almost instantly, I saw a difference as the pain started to subside and my running form, cutting form, and overall explosiveness improved.

The combination of rehabilitation and performance training I continue to receive at Training HAUS is unparalleled. My TCO hero is Chris Doney, one of my athletic trainers at Training HAUS, who has devoted countless hours to creating specialized training programs focused on isolating and strengthening my quad. Using the Biodex, a machine that measures muscle strength, we were able to track my improvements from 50% quad strength when I started to over 85%. I am still working towards complete symmetry. The knee pain has subsided, something I did not think was even possible a year ago. My TCO comeback has not been a linear process, but I cannot say this enough, I feel the best I have felt in SIX years (prior to my first ACL tear), and much of that thanks goes to my hero(s) at the Training HAUS, Chris and Michael. With commitment and a whole team behind me, I am entering my third season with the Minnesota Vixen fully healthy–lungs and knee, pain-free, and ready to compete. #HAUSBuilt

My story starts in late November 2018 when I was diagnosed with a very fast moving cancer. Within a week, I was in surgery to have the tumor removed. After some consideration I was signed up for another surgery to remove all the lymph nodes in my right leg. This surgery left me with a whopping case of lymphedema. My right leg was twice the size of my left leg and that was on a good day.

Once I had healed from the two surgeries, it was time for rehab. I elected to go to Twin Cities Orthopedics because I had dealt with them in the past with both of my shoulders and had a very good experience both times.

My first day of therapy I was quite anxious, nervous and worried. Having added a few pounds during my 10 weeks of bed rest while healing, I was also very self-conscious. I was greeted by a young, smiling and very friendly gal at the reception desk who took my information and asked me to be seated. Shortly after that a very bubbly, warm, smiling gal walks up to me and introduces herself. “I’m Sue, nice to meet you, let’s go this way”. This started what is so far the best interaction with medical staff I have ever witnessed. The thorough explanation of every step of the procedure, the expectations, the time line. Everything methodically laid out so I could understand the battle WE, not just me, were up against with this lymphedema. How great it felt that we were going at this as a team!

Over the first 4 weeks so far we have made great improvement to the point now I have full use of my leg and it seems as normal as before the surgery. Sue has obviously taken her trade very seriously, she is extremely knowledgeable and very willing to share all she can to make the patient understand exactly what is going on. She is very professional, very courteous, upbeat, and her happy go lucky personality is very special. I have yet to leave a therapy session without a big smile on my face! She even took the time to sew a special customized patch for my scar to make it heal faster under the wrap on my leg. Little things like that are huge indicators that Sue is not just working with me in her office, but thinking of better ways to help healing even when I am not there. She doesn’t just shut me off when I walk out the door. I really want to thank you Susan Anderson for being the greatest therapist you could possibly be and for helping me through a tough time. Your bubbly personality will keep me smiling every time I think of you!!