Patient Testimonials

After suffering for over 20 years with lots of pain in my left shoulder, I had a fall. That, of course, finally pushed me to have surgery that I had been putting off. Dr. Hunt was recommended to me, and am I glad! He explained everything to me in words I could understand. Then I had the reverse shoulder surgery. My goodness, that pain was worse than my 36 hour delivery of my 10.3 lb baby girl (with no pain meds)! But well worth it, as I am pain-free now. And my PT, what a sweetie. He answered all my many questions without rolling his eyes!

Hi Jay,

I hope you and your family are doing well.

I wanted to take a minute to once again tell you that because of all your efforts and dedication to helping me walk and have my independence back, I am now back in the workforce! I’ve known for some time that I wanted to work part time in a position where I could interact with people and have some outside connection to the world. This week, that dream came true. The position is ideal for me, working only 10 hours a week, early morning hours. Both Bill and I didn’t know if my leg would present and issues about hiring and qualifications to do the position. It did not, much to my surprise.

Jay, without your help, expertise and encouragement, I would have never reached this level of independence. It is people like yourself and Kyle that I want to thank for continuing to live my life according to my needs. This past winter, I helped Bill with shoveling and even ran the small snow blower. It is not certain on those early days in therapy if I even knew that would be possible.

Bill/I sold our home of 35 years that we built and moved a year ago March to another home only a few miles away. The home we lived in previously was a 2 story and I had a huge landscaped flower garden that was difficult to keep up after losing my leg. Our new home is only 7 years old, with bedrooms, etc. on one level and in an equally great neighborhood as we lived previously. When looking for a new home, we had a list of priorities, namely a flat driveway, few stairs, etc. It has been one year of completing small and major projects in the house and was time that I was ready to look for outside work.

I just want you to know that there are many days, when I reflect back the help your provided to me in therapy and will always be grateful. I hope that your patients know how fortunate they are to be connected with you.

Spring is coming …finally and hope that you and your family will enjoy it!

Looking forward to seeing you when I visit Kyle.

Thanks Jay,

Patty

We saw Dr. Cole because my daughter Riley (15), was experiencing acute pain in her left foot. She plays high school basketball and had a sharp, persistent pain that would not go away. Dr. Cole ordered x-rays because he suspected a stress fracture but they came back non-conclusive. He then suggested we do an MRI because he was suspicious the x-rays were not telling the whole story. We did the MRI and sure enough, there it was. I feel Dr. Cole went above and beyond to help diagnose Riley’s foot pain. I think most doctors would have said the x-ray didn’t show anything and been done. Dr. Cole explained his thoughts the entire way through the process. I felt like we were making informed decisions based on him taking the time to make sure we were educated.  He was a very thoughtful, kind and effective doctor for us.

Not only is he a great doctor but he is a great guy! Riley is interested in becoming a doctor and during our time with Dr. Cole had asked him a few questions about his educational history and experiences. Dr. Cole took extra time to share his thoughts and feelings on how he became a doctor and some of his background. Riley left his office that day excited about her future as a doctor – amazed that he took the time to discuss his life with her. I just can’t say enough about how Dr. Cole took care of us. He took the time to really understand her background, which I think was instrumental to his diagnosis. He was a great doctor and a great role model for our daughter. Thanks, Dr. Cole!!

I experienced a herniated disc at L4-L5 that caused extreme pain in my lower back and down my right leg. The MRI revealed a significant disc protrusion irritating the nerves going down my leg. Dr. Deal performed a micro-discectomy to remove the protrusion, resulting in immediate pain relief. Several weeks of physical therapy following surgery has re-strengthened the muscles that atrophied in my right leg during the period prior to surgery. I could not be more pleased with the treatment by Dr. Deal and his excellent team.

I have nothing but incredible things to say about my Physical Therapist, Kaci Platz. I was assigned to Kaci after my surgery for a torn shoulder labrum, that was repaired by Dr. Jason Barry (another incredible TCO team member). My shoulder had been in pain for the better part of 6 years prior to my surgery. During those years, I had been seen by other doctors and even received physical therapy and cortisone shots to “help” with the pain. One doctor went so far as telling me that I would probably have this pain permanently and would be receiving cortisone shots on a “regular basis”. My job as a UPS driver requires lots of movement and bouncing around in a vehicle, that was nearly impossible to deal with over my 458 nightly miles to Iowa and back to Minneapolis. My injury also caused me to stop playing guitar and drums. the slightest motions made it impossible to hold a drumstick or strum any guitar.

In December of 2018, I had enough of the endless pain that was impairing my sleep, work, and everyday life. I was referred to TCO by my personal physician at Fairview. Upon my meetings with Dr. Barry, I knew things were gonna be different. He did tests and asked questions no one else had before. After an MRI confirmed what we suspected, we scheduled an orthoscopic repair in January 2019. The surgery went very well and healing was slow. Being in an immobilizing sling was hard to get used to.

I met with Kaci and was impressed with her questions and how gentle she was at our initial visit. As most people would be, I was very guarded of my shoulder and wanted nothing to do with anyone moving or manipulating my healing shoulder/arm. Kaci was good about gaining trust and manipulated my shoulder with the lightest but necessary movements. Over the following weeks, I looked forward to physical therapy sessions, as I found pain relief following each meeting and gained strength through the assigned exercises. Through those exercises, and great advice given by Kaci, I am excited to say that I am on track to return to work nearly a month earlier than expected (pending Dr. Barry’s examination and approval).

As of this writing, I am pain-free and excited to return to work without daily struggles with excruciating pain and numbness. I hope to shortly start playing catch with my kids who are both in softball and baseball. I can play guitar again with NO issues!!!!!

I truly wish I had come to TCO earlier and avoided the pain and countless sleepless nights/days. I have recommended Twin Cities Orthopedics to anyone who has issues with pain and will have nothing but great things to say about my treatment and recovery. Many THANKS to the TCO team for their help with my recovery.

In December of 2018, I finished skiing with my family and as I was walking to my car. I had to hop across a ditch and bent my knee hard in the process. As I stood up I realized my knee did not feel right. I scheduled an appointment and did a consultation with a surgeon from a different orthopedic practice. After asking around for the best knee surgeon, it was suggested to meet Dr. Corey Wulf. He was able to meet with me the next day and we scheduled surgery. This was the second bucket handle meniscus tear I have had in my left knee (the first one was 6 years ago).

The surgery went great and I was able to start physical therapy 2 days after surgery. When I met Paul Breyen, he was very friendly and listened well. He developed a PT plan for me and we were able to progress very quickly. I had a personal goal to be able to ski the first weekend of February on a ski trip to Montana with friends. Even though Paul suggested against pushing my knee too quickly, he helped develop a plan that strengthened my leg and knee. I was able push the exercises and was successful in skiing that weekend!

Paul helped me to meet my goals and has even developed a plan for me to train for the MS150 (150 mile bike ride) in June and my first ever half Ironman in July! I did all of my PT at the new facility in Eagan and the Training Haus. That facility is best in class and also, just plain awesome! Thanks TCO for helping me with my Comeback Story!

Seven years ago, I slipped down some stairs and broke three metatarsals. The emergency room doctor set me up with an orthopedic surgeon (at another practice) who recommended immediate surgery. Surgery was done and recovery went well until 4 of the 5 screws placed, broke in half. My orthopedic doctor recommended they be removed. I agreed. The removal did not decrease the pain, it was more difficult to walk. This ongoing situation caused me to not be able to join my daughters and husband in Paris, or in Spain, or London or Uruguay, or Portugal.all on separate trips. I couldn’t walk.

I was then referred to Twin Cities Orthopedics by my primary care physician, who is so great by the way. My first appointment with Dr. Tanner was great. He was thorough, professional and very concerned about my expectations for outcomes. He was able to fit my surgery into his schedule. The Blaine Orthopedic Surgery Center is outstanding! As a nurse, I have been in and experienced many but this was extraordinary, from facility to nursing care. Thank you Blaine.

My after care was handled at TCO Blaine. The reception staff is great always gracious and welcoming. There is coffee and a daily paper available, along with wheelchairs out front and umbrellas! The whole facility has easy access and great directional signs telling you where to go.

Now for the most important, follow up and how’s my foot. I had my follow up appointment with Christopher Romanowicz, PA – what a great guy. He’s intelligent, able to communicate clearly the status of the foot, helpful with suggestions for comfort measures, honest about status of foot. He’s a no “BS” guy and I appreciate that. My visits with him every two weeks really helped me make it through this painful surgery.

I’m 3 months out from surgery and want to say, thank you Dr. Tanner, Chris, and the entire staff at the Blaine Surgery Center. Twin Cities Orthopedics has significantly improved my life. Hopefully this year I’m off to the Azores. Thank you.

Last year, I remember summer being a challanging time for myself personally, as I started to think about the father/husband I was becoming. I was active with my family (or maybe too active) and I began to pay the paid the price with horrible knee pain. Fast forward to winter and the pain continued to get worse and worse. I decided to head into the doctor. With each visit, I would lose a little hope in returning to my playful ways with kids and activities with my family. Then I finally made my way to TCO, where Dr. Butterfield said he could help. I was excited and nervous about the surgery, but he made it seem easy. I remember waking up from surgery and instantly the pain was gone. It was unbelievable how great I felt and how my life felt on track again…so soon.

One month later, I was back to normal activities and had a large “pop” in my other knee. Again, I went back to my trusted surgeon, Dr. Butterfield, which turned out to be the best decisions I’ve made for my personal health. I had another surgery and so far, it was another success. This sounds overboard, but Dr. Butterfield and TCO have given me the ability to be a active, fun dad again. The smiles on my kids when we’re chasing through the yard is priceless. Thanks Dr. Butterfield!

A New Year’s resolution centered on healthy habits and a new weight lifting routine came to a screeching halt 9 days into the New Year. Who knew a smoothie could send you on a three month detour and into the OR. There should be a rule that stressful situations and injuries cannot occur before 6:30am but unfortunately at 6:15am, that fateful day, the blade fell out of the blender bucket landing on my finger. Fortunately (and unfortunately) my four year old daughter was there to witness the accident so I was unable to exhibit all of the emotions I felt. She kept telling me to be brave and calm my body down, “Breathe in and out Mama. Be brave.”

Five stitches later and I was thrust into the world of Orthopedic Hand Specialists. I made an appointment with “one of the best” they told me. I was hopeful he would be able to figure out why there was no feeling in my finger. I was blown away to hear a provider not rush to surgery. Mr. Bakker wanted to attempt non-invasive therapy first and I was grateful for that step. I didn’t feel pressured into choosing surgery, as I had at one of the competitors. I know that injury is just part of a TCO employee’s work day, but many of their patients come following a traumatic or stressful event. Although their priority is to help us heal, handling the emotions that are present is a critical step. From the beginning, I felt Dr. Bakker acknowledged those feelings that came from a change to my routine and capabilities. I could no longer pick up my daughter or those heavy weights I was longing to use at the gym. Everything was put on pause and I had to be patient.

Eventually it became evident that surgery would be needed to heal the loss of feeling. The surgery center was efficient and everyone I interacted with was so kind. I even ran into someone I went to school with since Kindergarten! Although there are so many things that “could have been worse” about my injury, the delay in getting started with my intended fitness plan was defeating, to say the least. Being unable to include the weight bearing exercises my new plan included could have been an excuse. But I did my best (cast and all) to get into the gym and do what I could. I’m grateful to say I’m finally at the stage where I can grip the weights and increase them. I’m starting to see the end of the tunnel. Dr. Bakker and my care team knew it would come, but sometimes when you’re in a difficult season, it feels as if there will never be an end to it.

My TCO Champion is my hand therapist, Jodi Chaplin, OTR/L. Jodi not only worked to get my finger functioning at full capacity but provided emotional support through our months working together. She was attentive to my worries about healing and I always left feeling at ease after our appointments together. It took me 34 years to get my first stitches so seeing a scar heal was something I hadn’t experienced. I would come in worried after what I had read on the internet and what my finger looked like and she would rave, “it looks beautiful!” She even welcomed my four year old one day (who had to attend due to a winter snow closing) with open arms. She kept Genevieve entertained and attended to my questions effortlessly. My daughter got to encourage me to be brave and see an example of a “helper.” I’ve told Genevieve, when people need help, there will always be helpers. Look for them. Every day I’m headed to see Jodi, Genevieve says, “Be brave mama, your helper will help you.”

So is there a silver lining in an injury? I suppose mine would be patience and allowing others to help me. My self sufficient nature had to take a back seat and in return I was able to feel supported and encouraged by your team. Now, for the gym date I’ve been waiting for!

It all started at the time of my injury. I had no idea where to go for treatment. I knew my injury was more bone related, or muscular, so I decided to go to an orthopedic specialist instead of my primary physician. Josh Bennington took the time to give me a complete examination. He advised me that if symptoms didn’t improve in 10 days, then I would need an MRI. When there were no improvements, I had my MRI and Josh forwarded my results over to Dr. Holm.

I met with Dr. Holm. He explained the injury and the procedures that he planned to achieve. On the day of surgery, Dr. Holm and his assistant, Aaron Klatt, both talked with me before I went into surgery. In the past two months, I’ve seen Aaron a few times and had numerous visits with Jon, my physical therapist. Jon has been communicating with Dr. Holm on my concerns with returning to work and continues to relay that info back to me. I am lucky to have the best individuals work on my injury and to motivate me to improve my ways. The PA’s, surgeons, and physicial therapists did great work and I plan to continue recovering and changing my habits for a better lifestyle.