Patient Testimonials

As an athlete my entire life, I found running to be my passion. After completing 10 Chicago Marathons, I accomplished my running goals in my life, but I had the desire to run just one more marathon at the age of 50. With the intense training over the years, my body was starting to take its toll. I was experiencing, what I thought, a sciatic nerve issue in my lower back. After two years of discomfort, I consulted with Dr. Brian O’Neill and was told I needed a full right hip replacement. A little shocked and not sure what to think, Dr. O’Neill explained to me that it wasn’t the end of being active and healthy. It was hard to hear the news that my running days may be over.

A little over a week after turning 50 on February 9th, I had a full right hip replacement on February 18th….my 50th birthday present to myself! 🙂 Encouraged by my family, friends, the great people of TCO, along with Dr. Brian O’Neill…I worked hard to recover as quickly as I could. Following their guidelines and recovery care, I’ve managed to walk and strengthen myself to the point that the TCO staff and Dr. O’Neill have been impressed with how quickly I’ve been moving. “A speedier recovery than most”.

It’s now been 5 1/2 weeks since my surgery and I’m walking in full motion, enjoying my ability to walk without pain and discomfort. Although I’ve been told that my running days are over, the idea of running again still looms in my mind. Desire and passion are two strengths in every athlete, but I know that my overall health outweighs risking injury.

My comeback is one of mental toughness that has been supported by the TCO staff and Dr. Brian O’Neill. They understood my disappointment after wanting to run again, but they encouraged me to stay mentally strong. Although it’s not running again…the idea of walking, golfing, biking, swimming and so many more active things I share with my family and friends is what I look forward to. I owe that to Dr. Brian O’Neill and his staff for their desire and passion to keep me mentally strong through my full recovery.

Desire and passion isn’t just for athletes. 50 is the NEW 30!

Sincerely,
Peter

In 2011, after a work injury, I chose to see the fine surgeons of Twin Cities Orthopedics and it was determined that I needed my right hip replaced. This was the beginning of my experience with TCO. During my recovery, I did my physical therapy with TCO and worked with two amazing people; Shannon Burmeister and Jay Schindler. I spent a majority of my time with Shannon. She encouraged me to work really hard because she knew for me to be able to return to work, a very physical job, would mean I’d have to have my full range of motion back. I knew I had to do the work but she had such a kind way of coaching me through it all and it didn’t feel like work. She was positive and reassuring and she helped me regain my confidence on the new hip and I was able to return to work without restrictions. In 2013, I had my left hip replaced and again, I was blessed to work with Shannon in my recovery. Her hard work and dedication helped me to return to work from that surgery without restrictions as well. On my journey to become the “bionic man”, I had my left knee replaced in 2014 and the right knee replaced in 2015. By now, I felt a little like Norm, from Cheers, because when I showed up they all knew my name. The last surgery I had with TCO was in 2016 when they repaired a dislocated knee cap. This was probably the most grueling therapy of all but again, with Shannon’s help, I was able to get back to work and I’m happy to say, I have been back working ever since with no further complications. Whenever an opportunity presents itself, I share about the experience I had with my surgeons and my physical therapists. Their treatment and care was second to none. TCO helped put me back together again and for that I will always be grateful!

Dr. Butterfield was recommended to me by my primary care physician. He was kind, professional, thorough and made sure my questions were answered. Would recommend Dr. Butterfield to anyone needing an orthopedic surgeon.

Dr. Koch did my surgery, she is wonderful! A very professional woman with a warm and comforting demeanor. Explains everything and is a good listener. I have already started to refer my family to her.

I fractured my wrist two days before Christmas. I am extremely grateful that Dr. Gesensway and the TCO staff were so thoughtful, proactive, and organized that I was able to have surgery during the short holiday week rather than waiting 10 days. Dr. Gesensway is very personable and an excellent surgeon. My healing process was so much faster than my previous wrist fracture. (Yes, I must be a klutz or maybe just have bad luck when it comes to snow and ice.) He is also a good teacher; I valued having an understanding of my injury and the treatment involved. I especially appreciated how he would repeat certain instructions during post-op appointments. There was no second guessing myself when I wondered what I can or should not do.

I just wanted to thank you Dr. Neil Johnson. I was in a few weeks back for the first time with severe pain in my inner thigh…we really didn’t figure out why exactly, but chose to do an injection in my knee. Wanted to let you know, whether is was the injection or not, everything is amazing now. It was very slow – each day I would tell people, well it feels about 6.5% better…but now it is 100% and no pain at all. I chose not to do the physical therapy for financial reasons, but also because it feels great. Thank you and your staff – everyone was amazing and the entire place was very pleasant and everyone has great customer service!!!

Before my Lisfranc injury in March 2018, I had just gotten my 1 year “all-clear” scan results from battling cancer in 2016-17. I was getting my strength back after the chemo and radiation, and set aggressive goals for the coming year — to compete in my first 70.3 (Half-Ironman) triathlon and my first marathon in 2018. In pursuit of those goals, I was on the way downstairs to the locker room at the gym on 3/30/18, eager to do my daily lunchtime workout, when I missed a step and injured my left foot. I soon learned from the ER doctor how serious the injury was and that my running and triathlon dreams may be over. The thought of being sidelined again (after my cancer comeback) was devastating.

But thankfully, I found Dr. Coetzee at TCO and he assured me that he could repair the foot. His confidence and caring manner were so comforting, and his expertise in foot surgery is second to none. The surgery was a complete success, and got me back on the road much sooner than anyone expected. Within 1 month I was swimming, in 2 months I was cycling, and in 3 months I was starting to run again! In September (5 months post-surgery), I competed in the Stillwater Square Lake 70.3 triathlon (1 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13 mile run). Then on October 7th (just 6 months post-surgery, with 2 plates and 10 screws still in my foot), I completed Twin Cities Marathon! Not only did I finish it, I ran the entire distance without even walking for a water break.

It’s been one year now since my injury and surgery. I am completely back to my old self…able to work full-time, take care of my family, plant my garden, ride my motorcycle, and train for the biggest challenge of all… my first full 140.6 Ironman in Wisconsin. I am grateful to Dr. Coetzee (and his wonderful staff Lisa Long and Larry Nilsson) for making me whole again!

P.S. My husband Pete is also training for Ironman Wisconsin. This winter, Dr. Coetzee repaired Morton’s Neuromas on BOTH of Pete’s feet (which had limited his training for the past decade). Nothing can stop us now! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Good experience with Dr. O’Keefe, everything is going well.

I’m a 75 year-old (previously active) female and needed a full knee replacement, which Dr. Anseth performed in September of 2018. Thanks to his skill and the wonderful physical therapy I received at TCO, I was able to fly to the mountains of central Mexico on 2/1, and successfully and without pain, walk 3-4 miles per day for six weeks, up and down the foothills on consistently uneven and sometimes treacherous surfaces.

I had the other knee replaced elsewhere some years before, unsuccessfully, so was very apprehensive to do this second knee. Dr. Anseth’s excellent listening skills, reassurance about anesthesia, a phone call to me the night prior to surgery and his deep and up-to-date knowledge in this field, moved me forward with confidence. I am very grateful to have a different and very positive outcome.

In August 2018, I was at gymnastics practice and tried doing a vault. I fell and hurt my back. The pain kept getting worse and I finally went to TCO. They did a MRI and said I had a stress fracture in my left pars L5. I was put into a brace and eventually 2 more. I was not healing, my leg was going numb and becoming weak. I couldn’t sit or stand long without being in a lot of pain. It was well into my gymnastics competition season and I was not sure if I would be able to do gymnastics ever again. Since I wasn’t going to need surgery, I was referred to my PT, Kristina. She was so great and helpful! We took things slow, she was so patient with me! After months of PT, I was finally allowed to try handstands! It took 8 months to get me back to the gym! Unfortunately, I missed the entire competition season. I am back to training and excited to start competing next season!! Thanks to TCO and Kristina Withers for giving me back the confidence and strength to continue the sport I fell in love with 8 years ago!