Patient Testimonials

I have been going to the BWCA (Boundary Waters Canoe Area) since 1964 when my father took me on my first trip to this magical, wonderful place. Since then I have made 25-30 trips back to the BWCA, recently with my sons and nephews. To say that it has a special place in my heart is a gross understatement. 2 years ago I came off the last portage in near tears, suffering from arthritic pain. Since then, Dr. Owen O’Neill, Dr. Ed Kelly and their expert staffs have replaced 2 shoulders, 2 hips and 1 knee. The attached photo was taken earlier this year and shows me and my team (including my youngest son and nephew) over-looking “our unnamed lake” in the BWCA. We traveled over 10 miles to get there, crossing 3 lakes, 4 portages and 3 rivers. My sincere thanks to Dr. Kelly, Dr. O’Neill and their expert staffs for giving me this important piece of my life back! I strongly recommend them both and encourage you to schedule a visit if you are in pain like I was!

On a scale of 1 to 10, Dr. Kelly deserves an 11. Two years ago I had total shoulder replacement. This past May I had total knee replacement. Today I am playing tennis with my grandchildren with an arm and a knee that move as normal as anyone could expect for someone 70 years old. Having been active all my life, Dr. Kelly literally gave me my life back as I had known it. I am very grateful for his skill, and most especially for his insistence that I trust him in the rehab period. I did and the rest is very good history.

I’ve known Dr. Edward Kelly for almost 10 years, in that time he has replaced both shoulders and both knees. Dr. Kelly is not only a skilled surgeon, he is a humanist. He cares about the whole patient and is skilled at listening to his patient’s needs on both physical and emotional level. He makes you feel as if you are his only patient and considering the size of his practice is a feat of its own. He has given me back my active life — my osteoarthritis limited my physical activity and in general everyday activities. The surgeries were very successful — I have full range of motion on both shoulders and both knees. I thank Ed, Kaici and his whole team for great care and caring.

Dr. Kelly is knowledgeable, patient and thorough. He has put my arm back together and offered opinion on knee surgery. I always leave his exam room knowing I got the best advice.

I had my first appointment with Dr. Kelly and his staff today. I was specifically looking for a surgeon with shoulder fellowship training of which there are very few in the Twin Cities area. I was immediately pleased to meet his P.A., Lindsey. She was friendly, casual yet very professional and seemed interested in me and my history and the symptoms that brought me to their facility. I then got to meet Dr. Kelly and his scribe and secretary, Kaici. Dr. Kelly was very friendly and interested in allowing me to tell my history and what I was hoping to achieve in this visit. I was impressed with his casual yet concerned attitude. He described everything he planned to do for me that day, introduced me to Kaici and the orthopedic fellow in training he had with him. I never felt rushed at any time. I felt like I was acknowledged as an individual and treated with respect and understanding at all times. Although I have had shoulder injections by other doctors before, I never had an ultrasound to look at the shoulder and the major tendons, bursa, muscles and skeletal structure before. He explained very clearly what damage he found and explained why I had the symptoms I had. He used that ultrasound to guide his needle in placing the local anesthetic and after an appropriate amount of time he then placed the steroid injection with no pain only a sense of pressure. I have never been more comfortable with this type of injection as I was today. He made sure I was comfortable at all times which I appreciated very much. I felt I received high quality care from Dr. Kelly and that it was delivered in a personal, profession yet very friendly manner. I had some questions regarding pre-op teaching and Kaici took time from her schedule to help me by getting the information to me. She also was very friendly and it was apparent to me as a retired RN with 35 years experience, that Kaici and Lindsey really enjoyed working with Dr. Kelly. I would highly recommend anyone looking for a shoulder or elbow specialist that they come to see Dr. Kelly. They will not be disappointed.

I had my 3 month checkup with Dr. Kelly for my left shoulder replacement today, and I must say that my journey since meeting Dr. Kelly for my shoulder has been nothing short of amazing. Less than 3 months after replacement, I have zero pain, and have recovered most of my range of motion. I must also mention his staff. They are very friendly and always make you feel comfortable. A huge thank you to all of you.

Dr. Kelly –

I want thank you, and let you know how much I appreciate all that you have done for me. I know it’s going to take me a while to get back to normal, but before you know it, I’ll be on that motorcycle in no time. You and your staff have been terrific.

Kaici has been wonderful. She was always quick to respond to every message and request that my wife, Debbie and I have made. Debbie needed a form filed out by the doctor for FMLA leave at work. Kaici e-mailed the completed form within a couple of hours, in spite of her busy schedule. Thank you, Kaici.

Justina was a huge help in getting all our questions answered about physical therapy and my care at York Gardens. It was nice of her to visit me during my stay and introduce herself. She even stuck around on my last day, until Debbie got there so she could meet her also. Debbie said this busy woman needs an assistant to help her with all her messages. Thank you, Justina.

The nurses at York Gardens, Andrea, Margaret, Stacy, Michelle and Laura (PT) were all wonderful. Andrea reminded me so much of my daughter-in-law who is a registered nurse in California. They all took such good care of me. They are also very good listeners. Thanks to all of you.

My experience with TCO was a very positive experience. I first went there in January of 2014 when I fell at work and tore my rotator cuff. Dr. Kelly was my physician. I had surgery in February to repair the tear. I shared with Dr. Kelly that I had planned to get my knee replacement in the spring and was disappointed that it wouldn’t happen. His reply was, “oh we can do that.” He told me he also did knees and depending on my recovery from shoulder surgery, it could probably be done in May.

Well, I had a great recovery and while still getting physical therapy, discussed having the knee replacement done.

The staff was very excited to tell me that I would qualify to go through the EXCEL program. Not having to be in the hospital was very appealing and having a class about the procedure was very helpful. York Gardens, where you go for recovery, was a beautiful and very comfortable facility!

The surgery went well, and it was very comforting to have Dr. Kelly and Lindsay in the operating room. Going to the room at York Gardens was so nice and the staff there was very helpful and pleasant.

The physical therapist was patient but yet encouraged me to do what I needed to do. The food was very tasty. I felt I was in an apartment and not in a hospital room.

I would, and have, recommended the EXCEL program to people who need a knee replacement. I appreciate all the help I got from all of the staff. From the appointment desk to the physical therapists, and everything in between, I am very happy with the experience and outcome!

Dr. Edward Kelly, M.D. & his team at Twin Cities Orthopedics – Burnsville have earned my highest respect and gratitude. Sunday, August 29th started out as an ordinary day but it wasn’t. Late afternoon I rolled down an embankment. My elbow took the brunt of the fall. It was shattered and dislocated plus two ligaments were hanging by threads. Now what? After reviewing several orthopedic websites and reading testimonials, we decided to make an appointment to see Dr. Edward Kelly. I couldn’t be more pleased with the expertise, compassion and results I experienced from Dr. Kelly and his team. They demonstrated the technical knowledge as well as the ability to listen and communicate (excellent bedside manner!). Because of today’s technology, Dr. Kelly was able to confer with experts around the world to determine the best way to proceed. Mark Froemke, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Michele Jacobson, OTR/L, CHT Hand Therapist, patiently worked with me. I have regained the function and use of my arm… and am very grateful!

On December 23, 2015, Dr. Kelly did a Tenex procedure on my left elbow. I had immediate relief from pain that day. I had been having constant pain for the past two years in the left elbow and forearm. I had a couple of cortisone injections that would provide relief for a couple of months, but the pain always returned. Today I can say I am 100% pain free. I had gone from pain all the time to being pain free now. The procedure for me was easy, painless and recovery went very well. Dr. Kelly and Lindsay explained the procedure thoroughly and answered all of my questions prior to the procedure. The Crosstown Surgery Center was a wonderful place to have the procedure. Everyone was kind, caring and helpful.