Patient Testimonials

I had cervical disc C6 & 7 disc replacement surgery January 29th 2019 . Prior to meeting Dr. Deal and his team, I had previously spent 7 painful months participating in non-surgical treatments in hopes of relieving a herniated disc. Dr. Deal is superior and his team is outstanding! Immediately after surgery, the pain in my arm and fingers were gone. 3-4 days after surgery, I was off pain medication for the first time in months! The entire experience exceeded my expectations! The knowledge and skill of Dr. Deal and the kindness of the staff were so comforting. The accommodations were VIP at the surgery center. I hope everyone who needs assistance with their spine issues has the same experience I have. Unfortunately, we don’t always have the same surgical results but the experience at Twin Cities Orthopedics is second to none.

I am a sophomore at St. Catherine’s University and I play basketball there. This past year, on Oct. 30th, we were having a practice. It was the last stretch of practices before games finally started and we had a scrimmage 4 days later. During practice, I cut and I stepped on my teammates foot and ending up perfectly tearing my ACL, MCL, and partial tears in my medial and lateral meniscus. I had surgery one week later and now I am 20 weeks post-op. I plan to be ready for basketball this next coming season.

I loved having Braidy as my PT, he continues to push me everyday no matter on what my mood is. He has put up with a lot! Going through this experience has been eye opening and I have learned so much about myself and the game of basketball. I got to learn the game of basketball so differently this year. I also got to help lead my teammates from the sideline this year and teach them more about basketball. I still have a couple months to go but I am determined as ever to get back. This would not be possible without all the support that the staff at the Training Haus has provided me. This experience has made me grow as a person and I would not trade it for anything.

I have had a rather tough two years. Around April 2017, I started to experience intense pain in my right flute and hamstring when running and bending. I tried to play baseball/softball and run like I normally did, but I struggled severely. I was able to get an appointment with Dr. Hess at TCO Maple Grove, where he took an x-ray of my right hip. He told me right away that my right hip has severe arthritis, and that I would likely need a replacement. He referred me immediately to Dr. Brian O’Neill, who discussed my options. They treated me for a few months with steroid injections, which helped to get me through the next year or so, but eventually, the pain became unbearable (to the point where I could hardly field a ground ball, or even tie my shoes). Dr. O’Neill performed a right hip replacement for me in September 2018, and I shockingly walked out the hospital the next day with the aid of a cane. The nursing staff at the rehab facility in Plymouth, where I had my surgery, were absolutely incredible as well. I was in very little pain throughout the entire time, from surgery through all of my follow-up visits. Since then, I have been able to return to baseball/softball, my rec hockey league, and I am able to bend down to pick up my niece and play with her again. They changed my life for the better, allowing me to be able to return to the activities I love. I cannot thank them enough.

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 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!