Patient Testimonials

I had a Total Knee Arthroscopy in 2016 in Cleveland and it never healed completely. That surgeon’s staff kept telling me I just needed more PT. So I did it. By 2018, I couldn’t take the pain any longer and was referred to TCO. The surgeon that saw me immediately referred me to Dr. Anseth. I was scared. The first surgery and recovery had caused me so much swelling and pain. Dr. Anseth and his wonderful PA Heidi told me that my original replacement was loose and it’s movement was wearing away the top of the bone on my calf.  They moved their schedule around to get me into surgery in less than 30 days, which is very fast and uncommon in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Anseth made it work and after first seeing him in May, I had my revision surgery by June 1!

Recovery was difficult. Apparently I have a minor bleeding disorder which I found about through a referral from Dr. Anseth. According to him, I has more post-surgical bleeding than any other patient he has ever worked on. Let me tell you, blood where it’s not supposed to be, hurts a lot. Dr. Anseth and Heidi were concerned for my recovery and followed it very closely, meeting with me often. It was such a different experience than I had with my first surgeon. They didn’t belittle me or condescend when I complained about severe pain even 3-months after the surgery. They worked with a pain clinic to ensure I got the relief I needed. Their compassion never stopped even when it appeared that my recovery was not going as it did with most of their other patients. Dr. Anseth’s work however, is not just technically accurate and by the book. He took into consideration the fact that I was born with legs turned inward which, though corrected as a child, caused the structures around my knees to be somewhat uncommon. The first surgeon didn’t do anything “wrong”, but he didn’t take this into consideration, and installed the implant as he would with any other patient.

During my revision, Dr. Anseth took more than twice the normal amount of time fitting and refitting my revision implant. He is the first to say that there is science and best practice procedures to follow, but he very much relies on whether or not the implant “FEELS RIGHT.” He’s and artist as much as he is an engineer and physician.

After 5 months the pain subsided and the knee healed. The leg is still a bit weak, but getting stronger all the time. It was a rough road but I can say that with any other surgeon I may have given up, and I’m am not sure this second implant would have worked. I was a hard case, but Dr. Anseth and Heidi were up to the challenge and I will be forever grateful.

After living with an unbelievable painful, arthritic ankle for over 4 years, I had an ankle replacement with Dr. Scott McGarvey in August of 2018. At 75 years old, I now feel like a new person. I’m finally able to do all the things I used to take for granted, but have not been able to do for years! I realized as I climbed up the deer stand this fall, how much I had missed doing the things I liked by being in such constant pain. I’m taking walks, looking forward to getting back to golf, and ready to enjoy life again. I cannot thank Dr. McGarvey and his efficient staff enough for giving me back mobility.

With both of my knees at the end of their original warranty period, we were looking for recommendations for an experienced Orthopedic surgeon who would do a good job with knee replacements and who was able to accommodate some special timing needs. Two higher-ups in the Fairview organization recommended Dr. Szalapski. He did my first knee on August 20, and the second on November 19. While the second knee is still brand new, I can say I am very pleased with how the first replacement turned out. Dr. Szalapski is a good guy, down to earth, with a large personality. He’s approachable and obviously knows his stuff. He’s an easy guy to recommend.

This was the second hip replacement. The first replacement (done by another provider) was good. This one by Dr. Arntson on my left hip was great. I recovered faster with less pain than the first. Sincerely thankful for the kind care.

Hi Dr. Kruse has always listened carefully to my concerns and performed the best possible surgeries on both of my knees. He is excellent!

I am a veteran that has suffered injuries from military service. I have had two surgical procedures done at TCO in the past and have been extremely pleased in both cases. They were not pushy and spent the time to consult with me, discuss options and answer all my questions to my satisfaction. In May of 2018, I started to have a lot of pain in my hip and in July I had both x-ray and MRI completed at the Veterans Administration showing that I had a “bone on bone” situation and needed surgery. My wife and I met with Dr. Robert Knowlan at TCO and he had another x-ray done to confirm the VA’s findings. I was very concerned about hip surgery as I had heard about a painful and extended recovery period from that procedure. Dr. Knowlan explained that by doing a procedure known as the anterior hip replacement that I would be up and walking in two days. Dr. Knowlan spent a lot of time with us and provided a lot of assurance. We decided to go ahead with the surgery. Everything went just as he said. Dr. Knowlan met with us after the surgery and the next day to “check-up” as well. We couldn’t ask for more. I was out of the hospital after one day and walking without a cane in two weeks. If I had to do it again…Dr. Knowlan would be my guy! We would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Knowlan to others in need.

A couple of years ago, at age 71, I started having some discomfort in my hip. During my annual physical, asked my family physician to take an x-ray. It showed some arthritis developing, but not significant. Decided then to undergo physical therapy and I religiously performed the exercises prescribed, but with little to no benefit. Slowed down on walking frequency and speed and stopped playing pickleball.

The following spring, I saw Dr. Owen O’Neill who gave me an injection into my hip and I felt almost immediate relief. Went back to walking and playing pickleball, but again experienced discomfort within a couple of months. I opted for Dr. O’Neill because he had performed surgery on my wife’s knees and I had seen him previously for other joint issues, that didn’t require surgery.

Then I went back to Dr. O’Neill earlier this year thinking that I needed a second injection. Additional x-rays and an MRI, along with only a three month beneficial response to the first injection indicated I should consider a hip replacement, much to my chagrin. My choice seemed to be to either live with the discomfort until it became unbearable or proceed with the operation as soon as possible while still in good health. I opted to proceed with the operation now.

Dr. O’Neill and his staff were outstanding throughout the process. They met with me numerous times to answer questions and explain what would happen during and after surgery. I also attended a 3 hour joint replacement class at Fairview Southdale Hospital in advance of surgery and then followed their advance exercise instructions.

My surgery and recovery were uneventful – just the way I had hoped. I walked within a few hours of surgery and was discharged the following day. There was discomfort, as you might expect after surgery, but I actually noticed improvement each day. I used a walker the first few days and shifted to a cane within a week. I discontinued the cane within a month following the surgery. Six weeks after surgery I was walking a three mile route a couple of times a week. Two months after surgery, I started some strengthening exercises and have continued walking. An added benefit seems to be the disappearance of some back pain I had been enduring before surgery.

Dr O’Neill performs hip surgeries employing an anterior approach, eliminating the need to damage muscles and significantly improving the speed of recovery. I would highly recommend anyone thinking they may need hip surgery to see Dr. O’Neill for an evaluation and potential hip replacement.

I first saw Dr. Barry for a tear in my right knee 4 years ago when he repaired my meniscus tear and I had immediate relief. This year I have a tear in my left knee and had the surgery done by Dr. Barry and again I had immediate relief with no other complications or pain. His staff is professional, friendly and results driven. My knees feel great and I could not be happier with the results.

I am so much more active. I have been joined the YMCA and am able to participate in exercise classes, Zumba, water Tabata and dance for almost three hours straight to a great band. There are very few activities I can’t do that I want to do. At the very least they are much easier. And, I’ve lost 30 pounds and love being active. It has made all the difference to my retirement!

I am very happy and pleased with my anterior total hip replacement surgery and the aftercare. Dr. Arntson is a great surgeon who really cares.