Patient Testimonials

First off – top notch. I was recommended to Dr. Conner by my personal physician and that referral didn’t disappoint. The whole staff at TCO was impeccable and humorous…a key for helping all people relax and be normal. Dr. Conner was calm, informative and descriptive on what needed to be done. I was assured the process was easy and that it would be painful…honesty is another great trait to have. Great job TCO and thank you Dr. Conner for extending a lot of who you are into what you do – it shows. Thank you.

Dr. Lervick came highly recommended to me when I broke my clavicle in a bike race. His name is well-known in the local cycling community as the “go-to” doctor for broken clavicles (a common cycling injury). The most impressive aspect of Dr. Lervick is how well he understands athletes. From the size and materials of the metal plate in my shoulder, to his empathy toward my training and race goals, he always treated me like an elite athlete. He was open and honest with me on the risks associated with each week of my recovery while understanding my desire to get back to racing as soon as possible. With his help, I was able to maintain my training load through my recovery period and was back on the podium with little time lost.

This letter is to verify my feelings about my recent complete shoulder replacement operation which you did for me on July 16, 2014. I must tell you that this has to be one of the finest pieces of work you have ever done on a shoulder replacement!! I would give you an A++ as a grade for the work you have done on my shoulder!! As of 2 days ago – 2 weeks from my operation – I can do so very much with my right hand, and arm that it is hard to believe. I can dress myself completely, tie my own shoes, button my clothes, eat meals, (can’t cut meat yet), shower, shave, wash my hair with both hands. I have very little pain from my shoulder area, and can only take Tylenol Extra Strength tablets, as I am allergic to Morphine and all its derivatives, which are the generally accepted pain relief tablets. All in all, Dr. Gulli, as I say again, I am so very pleased with the results of this operation on my shoulder, and want to commend you on such a fine piece of work, and Thank You for doing this great a job on me!!

I met Dr. O’Neill in 2008 when I was having such a difficult time with my knees. The lack of mobility and the pain made simple daily activities impossible. A total ‘knee replacement’ returned me to an active lifestyle. In 2010 I had ‘rotator cuff repair’, and in April of 2014 I had a ‘direct anterior hip replacement.’ The surgical skills of Dr. O’Neill and the aftercare of his team were outstanding. I can be more active now than I was 10 years ago. I would highly recommend him as an orthopedic surgeon.

Bruce N., who works for Eagle Valley Bank in St. Croix Falls, scheduled himself for rotator cuff surgery last August to repair a substantial ¾ inch tear. “I love to golf and hunt,” he explained, “so surgery had to be between seasons ––after golf and before deer hunting!” Bruce made a point to note that he did give up bird hunting to rehab his shoulder! He declined a post-surgery hospital stay and only had severe pain for a day or two. “Because I’d been through this surgery before, I knew what to expect,” he said. “I took Thursday and Friday off and planned to be at work on Monday, which I was.”

The first two-three weeks were the most difficult since Bruce is right-handed. “Friends told me to be prepared and they were right, but it was still a struggle. Try eating, shaving, brushing your teeth, and so on left-handed,” he said. “It was challenging! Overall, though, I had a great experience with the Medical Center, Dr. Steven Meisterling, and all who took care of me!”

Jerry, a financial consultant and diabetic living in St. Croix Falls, finally scheduled himself for a total shoulder replacement surgery this past December. “I’d had arthritis in my right shoulder for many years, but kept putting off surgery,” Wyatt explained. “I’d played golf regularly for many years, but eventually my shoulder began to hurt too much to play. Even worse, I wasn’t sleeping well any longer either. Eventually, my shoulder started to drop for no reason and I couldn’t even drink a cup of coffee without spilling!”

On the advice of Wyatt’s family doctor, SCRMC Internist Jim Wallace, Jerry finally made an appointment with Dr. Steven Meisterling. “Twin Cities Orthopedics and Dr. Meisterling have an excellent reputation for the surgery, and given my experience, they certainly deserve it!” “I was born in the Baker House and delivered by Dr. Jake Riegel long before this hospital existed,” Wyatt continued, “so to have a team of specialists like this available locally in this very modern hospital is simply wonderful! It was also a tremendous convenience for me and my family to be here at SCRMC for my care and surgery.”

Rob, a retired Lindstrom resident, had been living with level 8 or 9 (i.e. very bad) pain for two years because of degenerative arthritis in both shoulders. His right shoulder was most in need of repair because calcium build-up and bone loss had made the use of his right arm agonizing, and rehabilitation and medication failed to contain it. “Going into surgery, there was the possibility of a partial or a total replacement,” said Rob, “but due to bone loss, only a partial replacement was possible.”

After his hemi-arthroplasty surgery, Rob made note of the “excellent care” he received from his primary provider, Dr. Jamey Sotis, and from his surgeon,  Dr. Steven Meisterling. “I felt very comfortable in the OR, and appreciated all the explanation and detail on what would be happening,” he said. “I wouldn’t have chosen to go anywhere else.” He was hospitalized for just two days after surgery, followed by eight weeks of therapy and an arm sling. Robertson also commented that “my rehab at the Lindstrom Clinic was excellent and very personalized.” His pain continued to decrease as strength and use of his arm increased.

Ron (pictured on right) injured his shoulder over 20 years ago and underwent numerous surgeries that did not ease his pain. Recently, it was recommended that Ron schedule an appointment with Frank Norberg, MD (pictured on left), of Twin Cities Orthopedics. Dr. Norberg performed a shoulder replacement surgery which has vastly improved Ron’s overall quality of life. “For the first time since my injury I can lift my right arm unassisted and can do more than I ever dreamed possible,” said Ron. Dr. Norberg is “not only an excellent surgeon but a very kind and caring person,” he said.

Brandon (pictured on right) of Albertville had left shoulder surgery with Frank B. Norberg, MD (pictured on left) at Twin Cities Orthopedics Edina. “My left shoulder kept dislocating during work and even around the house. Dr. Norberg suggested surgery and we went ahead with it. Now I’m fully healed and able to do normal activities again.”

“Dr. Hunt analyzed my previous scan and report, did a thorough physical evaluation and clearly explained my current injury,” said Gary A. (pictured on left) of Minneapolis. After recently suffering a shoulder injury, Gary scheduled an appointment with Allan Hunt, MD (pictured on right), of Twin Cities Orthopedics – Edina. “He took the time to listen carefully and responded in a friendly, caring and respectful way,” he said. “I also appreciated his sense of humor and down to earth manner. A great first encounter!”