Patient Testimonials

I’m a single, empty-nester mom, work in real estate, and stay active. I run, lift weights, golf, and keep up with my daughter’s college hockey schedule. I don’t have time to slow down.

I joined a weekend kickball tournament for something fun and social. While chasing a ball, I fell and separated my shoulder. I tried to let it heal on its own, and Dr. David Hartigan actually supported that decision. He told me that if he were in my shoes, he would wait and see. That meant a lot because it showed he cared about what was best for me, not just rushing into surgery. When it became clear that surgery was the right option, he walked me through the entire plan.

Dr. Hartigan explained what the procedure would involve and answered every question I had. I never felt rushed. He always made me feel like my concerns mattered. After the initial surgery, I had a freak accident and broke my clavicle again. It was a frustrating setback, and I needed another procedure.

Even through that second surgery, I never felt alone. Dr. Hartigan and the entire TCO team continued to be supportive and positive, which made a big difference during a tough time. Five weeks before my half-marathon, I got the green light to start running again. The next day, I ran 10 miles. That race became a symbol of everything I had overcome. Crossing the finish line with my daughter by my side was emotional and empowering. It felt like I was finally leaving the pain and recovery behind me.

Today, I’m back in the gym and lifting weights. I feel strong and like myself again. Dr. Hartigan is more than a talented surgeon. He’s an incredible human being. I would recommend him to anyone.

I’ve had knee problems for years. It started with a broken kneecap from playing soccer, followed by bipartite patella surgery, and a couple of meniscus repairs. I’ve always been active. Skiing, biking, hiking, and just staying on the move. Eventually, the pain became too much.

I saw several TCO physicians in the past, and when things got worse, I decided to get a second opinion there. A few of my friends had great experiences with Dr. Bjerke, so I made an appointment. He recommended TCO’s EXCEL program and thought I would be a good fit. He was right.

The experience was outstanding. I had surgery at TCO Eagan -Viking Lakes and recovered in a care suite at the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel across the street. It felt more like a high-end hotel stay than a hospital visit. I received physical therapy right in my room, and everything from pre-op to recovery was smooth and well-organized.

I was back to work in four weeks and riding a recumbent bike in seven. Now, I’m preparing for a hiking trip in Bhutan this fall and feeling great. From start to finish, Dr. Bjerke and the entire team made the process easy and supportive. The EXCEL program gave me the comfort, care, and confidence I needed, and I am truly grateful.

After racing with intense pain in my left knee, I visited TCO’s Eden Prairie Urgent Care to gain clarity on what I was experiencing. We took some imaging, and I ended up at TCO once a week with physical therapist Dylan Scott to treat a hamstring strain and tendonitis in my left knee.

In early September, I still had lingering pain, so we took an MRI scan of my knee, discovering a tear in my lateral meniscus. It felt like every goal was being scribbled off my list as I looked at the scans on the computer. When I saw Dylan at physical therapy the next day, he took the time to sit down to answer every question I had. He assured me that no matter what happened with surgery, I would be well taken care of at TCO.

In November, Dr. Chris LaPrade performed a meniscectomy on my left knee to clean up the tear. Leading up to surgery, both Dylan and Dr. LaPrade worked very hard to make sure I felt as informed as possible, and we developed recovery plans far in advance. The day after surgery, I was already back at the Eden Prairie clinic working on walking and my range of motion.

Throughout recovery, Dylan worked to get me back on the water as soon as possible. I looked forward to every session with him because he knows my competitive brain and my wacky biomechanics better than I know them myself. After being discharged from physical therapy, adding ACE to my summer schedule was a no-brainer because it provided me an opportunity to keep working hard and getting stronger with TCO.

Exactly seven months after undergoing surgery, I was on the racecourse for the US Rowing Youth National Championships, and I know that I would not have achieved this opportunity without the unwavering support of TCO through the ups and downs.

Dr. Bakker will be my only choice if I need further care in the future. He let me know exactly what was going on every step of the way, including during the surgery. He was a great listener and followed up promptly. I really valued him being on time and minimizing the wait. Thank you, Dr. Bakker.

I cannot believe how good my hand feels. I wake up every morning and can feel my fingers again. I wish I would have had surgery years ago! My whole experience was phenomenal. I am so grateful for Dr. Dwivedi and his team. I normally worry about everything but the whole process from clinic appointments, scheduling surgery, and post-op care has been super easy. I was well informed every step of the way. The ease of contacting the team with any questions I had helped immensely. I would highly recommend Dr. Dwivedi!

Dr. Dwivedi performed endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand on November 17th, 2025. After suffering from numbness, tingling, and a nightly burning sensation for five years, I am now pleased to report that after the surgery all symptoms have disappeared. As of today, just two weeks after surgery, I am once again able to work without restrictions or pain. The entire process from my initial consultation with Dr. Dwivedi through today’s stitch removal appointment has exceeded all my expectations. I highly recommend Twin Cities Orthopedics and their medical staff.

I had chronic back pain, loss of feeling in my toes, and sharp, shooting pain down my leg. I felt completely hopeless that my situation would improve. We tried months of physical therapy, chiropractic, dry needling, and steroid injections. Ultimately, we found ourselves in Dr. Wanderman‘s office. Instantly, he spoke with expertise and knowledge having seen conditions like mine resolved with surgery. He prioritized my health and what was best for me, including timelines, appointments, and the procedure itself. When dealing with chronic pain, it was hard to imagine a light at the end of the tunnel, and I can say without a doubt that Dr. Wanderman’s team served as guiding lights along my journey. They went above and beyond to give me attentive care and address every concern I brought forth. They truly changed my life!

The surgery itself went marvelously! It was my first surgical procedure, and I felt confident and well-prepared. I could not believe the instant pain relief or the flood of emotions when walking out of the surgery center. Truly, I do not have adequate words to express my gratitude for this team, their authentic care, and the excellence in which they do their jobs.

I saw Dr. Tanner regarding my ankle. I had advanced bone on bone arthritis and two torn ligaments. He was very thorough when regarding what my options were as well the outcomes for each option. I choose a full ankle replacement. He agreed that would be my best option considering my age as well as the degree of damage to my ankle. Both the surgery and recovery have been very good. Follow up appointments with Dr. Tanner are very thorough and thoughtful as well. I would highly recommend him for a surgical procedure.

I had a C5-6 disc replacement completed in April 2025. Nathan Marcus quickly identified my issue, presented solutions, and made me a priority with the care team and my insurance provider. I have never seen an approval so quickly! Dr. Deal eased my concerns, answered tough questions, and executed a great surgery. It was a 10 out of 10 experience. I felt relief quickly after my surgery and recovery was very easy. I have no more pain, stiffness, headaches, arm numbness, or loss of strength. My mobility, strength, and overall feeling have returned. I wish I would have consulted Dr. Deal and his team earlier.

I tore my meniscus while traveling abroad last spring. When I arrived home, I made an appointment to see Dr. Ockuly at Twin Cities Orthopedics since he had successfully repaired a quad tendon rupture on the same knee a few years prior. I had the meniscus root repair done in May and proceeded to go through physical therapy during my recovery. Now, I am back to being able to run and bike. I cannot say enough good things about the care I received from Dr. Ockuly, Dani, and the therapists at the TCO Stillwater location.