Patient Testimonials

In 2015, my sophomore year of college, I was the starting goalkeeper for the Gustavus women’s soccer program when I took a knee to my hip in the beginning of the second half. I had sustained a hip pointer injury, but continued to play the following 35 minutes and overtime, in addition another 35 minutes of double overtime. After that, I played another full game and double overtime to end the season.

I took 2 weeks off from working out and felt able to workout again, however I battled hip pain off and on for another 8 months before seeing another doctor. After getting an MRI, it was confirmed that I had a left femoral acetabular impingement and a complex labral tear. I was referred to Dr. Larson, who assured me that all of my symptoms; pain in my joint, clicking, pinching, clenching and a shooting pain from my hips, down my leg, and up my abdomen was normal for the injury. We talked about alternative treatments but had decided surgery was my only option.

In August of 2016, I went into the OR and had a FAI decompression and labral repair and debreidment. In the same month I began physical therapy. I sat out my junior year of soccer at Gustavus but supported my teammates as they won the conference and went to the national tournament. I got strong enough and was cleared to return to play my senior year, but my heart was no longer in it and, although I completed the season, I did not have joy for the sport and I still had fear of taking a hard hit. I did not feel I had a proper comeback and I did not feel I overcame my surgery. I decided after graduation, passing my Nursing boards, and training in at the Mayo Clinic, that running a marathon would be my comeback. And that’s when I began training.

I had my 3 year check in with Dr. Larson at the new Vikings clinic just months before I was scheduled for my race. He assured me that my scans and physical assessment looked great and that running is a better choice for me. We talked about how the side to side motion and constant position changes was not good for my hip, and that a continuous forward motion like running would be better for my hip and my lifestyle.

I then ran the San Francisco half marathon in under 2 hours, continued my training, and ran the Twin Cities Marathon in 4 hours and 15 minutes without any hip pain. I plan on running many more marathons and half marathons in my future. I am signed up for a half marathon this August on the 4 year anniversary of my surgery. Celebrating 4 years without hip pain thanks to Dr. Larson, his amazing team, and his perfected recovery/rehab program.

I began regular running in the fall of 2012 after retiring at the age of 56. I became a volunteer coach for Moms on the Run. In the fall of 2016 I was going to turn 60, so I vowed to make it my best spring/summer/fall of running ever. I ran 3-4 days every week from May through October, finished four 10-mile road races, a half-marathon, a half-marathon relay, a 5k, a 5-mile trail race, Ragnar Great River, and Ragnar Northwoods Trail. It was a great year of running and I was pretty much pain free. I was a year-round outside runner. But then something happened in March 2017 while running with a friend who was rehabbing after a broken ankle. We took off too fast and something popped in my knee, but I kept running until I physically could not. During that year and into 2018, I ran in pain and tried different physical therapies, along with a meniscus procedure. It seemed to work for a bit. I continued with therapy, received cortisone injections, and eventually synvisc injections in both knees, but no relief. I was forced to stop running and simple walking became very difficult. On April 11, 2018, I had my left knee replaced and seven weeks later, on May 30, my right knee was replaced. It’s been a long, long (almost) year of very hard work, patience and determination, but I vowed that I would attempt to run again. After walking and biking a lot, I just recently made that attempt and it felt “good.” I still experience stiffness and I know that I’ll always “feel” my replaced knees, but I am pretty much pain free. I don’t think that any distance above a 5k is in my future, but just to be able to put on my shoes and go out for a short run is heaven to me. My goal is to participate in the Women Run the Cities 5k on May 19. I can’t say enough about the excellent care that I received from everyone involved in my surgeries and recovery. I will be forever grateful.

I started seeing Seth right away after my total knee replacement. In the first couple of weeks, Seth’s understanding of the procedure and symptoms was very comforting. It was determined that a manipulation was necessary. The positive and reassuring attitudes and feedback I received from Seth and Ashley and the whole staff at the Blaine TCO PT facility was a game changer for me. Even on my tough days, Seth, Ashley, Sam, Kristina, Kasi, and Jared were professional and compassionate while sharing their knowledge of my situation with me. They made a “not-so-fun” situation very tolerable and they did help me reach my goals. I already have recommended this staff to friends who are in need of orthopedic PT services and will continue to do so. Thanks Seth, Ashley and all of the Blaine PT staff. Appreciate your professionalism, knowledge, humor :), and caring ways!!!

I am writing this short story about my suffering with different kinds of pain in my hand and wrist and my unbelievable recovery process. For many years I have had pain in my wrist for the type of work I performed with the use of my hands. Back in February of 2015, I discussed this problem with my personal physician and he had me do different exercises and wear a hand brace. The pain was not going away so I made an appointment in December to see Dr. Clare McCarthy at Twin Cities Orthopedics. From that day forward we came up with a plan of action to regulate the treatment of the pain in my hand and wrist.

After taking an X-ray of both of my wrists and showing me the problem areas that were causing some of the pain, we decided the first step is to perform Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel on both wrists. My left wrist surgery was scheduled for January 15, 2016 and the right one on February 5, 2016. Both surgeries and recoveries were a success There is no numbness, stiffness, and pain in my fingers. I have full control on my motion and straight in both wrists. The second step to recovery was to get control over the arthritic pain on the lower part of my thumbs. This was caused from repetitive use of my hand in the type of work I performed in the past. Pain typically occured during/after gripping and pinching activities; such as turning doorknobs, buttoning clothes, tying shoes, loosening a jar lid and so on. After going through different medication, hand splints, and cortisone injections, my thumbs got worse. The treatments were no longer working or providing me with relief.

Dr. Clare McCarthy, her PA Claire Joubert, and I discussed the next solution. We all agreed on Thumb CMC (carpal-metacarpal) Joint Osteoarthritis and CMC Excisional Arthroplasty with Fascia Lata Graf, which means removing the arthritic bone (trapezium) and replacing it with a soft tissue graft. On February 27, 2019, Dr. Clare McCarthy and her PA, Claire Joubert, performed the above surgery to my right hand. Clair Joubert, PA did the closing, which was absolutely perfect. After surgery, the ecovery was long. I was in a cast for 4 weeks to prevent me from pinching. After getting the cast removed I started thumb and wrist exercises to strengthen hand. My PT for 3 weeks was Kimberly McClintick and she was great. My theory behind getting my strength back was no pain, no gain. I have been doing very well without any pain and will be playing my first game of golf since the surgery on May 4th!!

In closing here are a couple of statements that my father told me: No matter who you are, no matter where you come from you are beautiful. I believe there’s an inner power that makes winners. The winners are the ones who really listen to the truth of their hearts. This is what I think of the people that helped me through this ordeal. Thank you all!

I had been a nursing assistant for years, suffered a recurring quad issue that got so bad I was constantly in pain and could hardly walk. I was 54 yet felt 95. I saw Dr. O’Neill, found out I needed both hips replaced, and had my right replaced Sept 27th 2019. He has given me my life back! I walk without pain and no longer limp or lean to the side!! I am having my left hip replaced 4/11/2019 again by this amazing man. After this replacement, I will be 100% a new woman and will be able to feel years younger, totally free of pain and have my life back completely!!! My friends and family can’t believe the change and how I now walk normal. I can’t thank Brian O’Neill and his amazing care team enough!! If you need your hip replaced, he is the best there is and I will always be so grateful for his skills as a surgeon and that I went to him. Thanks for giving me my life back TCO!!!????

I am very thankful that I received such outstanding care from Dr. Gesensway at Twin Cities Orthopedics. He is a true professional and a superior surgeon. My healing has come along so much quicker than expected due to his skills. I have never fractured a wrist before (Colles fracture) but from the minute I walked in the door and met Dr. Gesensway, I suspected I was in for a good experience. I was by no means disappointed in any of the initial or follow-up care he and his team provided. Many thanks to David, Julia, Laura, and many others with whom I have had the pleasure to interact as a result of the bad fall I took on the ice. Thanks to all of you!

Dr. Michael Nemanich did a great job. I had left hip replacement surgery late on a Wednesday afternoon. I was released from the hospital on Friday afternoon. By Sunday I was cutting back on pain meds. On Monday I was driving and went for a walk. A week after surgery I would walk for an hour. Ten days after surgery I walked for two hours. I am very grateful for the wonderful care.

Christian Dawson has helped me multiple times! I had a stress fractured L4 par vertebrae on both sides. He helped strengthen my core and on March 8, 2019, he cleared me to run (for a certain amount of time), which is the one thing that I had been wanting to do. Because of this back injury, I was unable to ski with my friends, and play indoor soccer with my team. But because of Christian and the amazing people, facility, and equipment at TCO I will soon be able to do what I love!

I had to use a cane, wheelchair and walker before I had my knee replacement. I had taken shots as long as I could to get relief from the pain. I asked for the surgery and I am so glad I did! It wasn’t long after the surgery that I could enjoy taking steps without pain. My knee works fine! Looking forward to summer as it will be 1 year in July that I had my knee replaced. I am also looking forward to resuming garding and walking without pain and now with a stronger knee. Dr. Arntson explained everything to me. He always had time for my questions and concerns. His gentle spirit always calmed me.

I had a left hip replacement through the TCO EXCEL Program done by Dr. Arntson and within a few weeks, I had no use for a walker or cane. The surgery was perfect and Dr. Arntson was always there if I had a question or a concern. I totally recommend Dr. Arntson!