Patient Testimonials

I broke my collarbone in a cycling accident this fall. Prior to the accident, I had separated my shoulder on the same side as the collarbone break about two decades ago. I had the surgery completed by another physician in the Twin Cities at a different practice. The physician installed a “hook plate” to set my collarbone and repair my separated shoulder. I was taking a huge amount of ibuprofen, Tylenol, and oxycodone to reduce the pain to a manageable level, yet it was still extremely difficult to sleep.

After enduring extraordinary pain for over a month, I decided to get a second opinion from Dr. O’Keefe at Twin Cities Orthopedics. At my first appointment Dr. O’Keefe analyzed my problem quickly and suggested a plan of action. He suggested removing the plate and installing a “tight rope” device to secure my shoulder to relieve pain and increase my range of motion. With my other provider I felt like I fell through the cracks even though I communicated how much pain I was experiencing. This was not the case with Dr. O’Keefe.

Just four days after my surgery with Dr. O’Keefe, I was able to stop taking pain medication entirely. He changed my life because I was finally able to sleep again. I could also feel that my range of motion was not limited by the plate. During my post-op appointment, Dr. O’Keefe’s PA, Beth, took as much time as needed to answer all my questions thoroughly. I would recommend Dr. O’Keefe and his team without hesitation.

A little over a year ago, I suffered a freak accident where I lost part of my index finger. I had an emergency surgery to re-attach it. I was not in my hometown, and I was told to check-in with a surgeon when I got back. This is where I met Dr. Fischer. After examination and an X-ray, it was clear that the re-attachment did not take. I was then scheduled for amputation surgery.

I have never experienced anything like this in my life. I am an artist and the thought of losing part of my finger on my dominant hand terrified me. On the day of the surgery, I felt very anxious and scared. Dr. Fischer was very kind. He truly spent the time to talk to me and reassure me. Once I was wheeled into the surgical room, his whole team was there for me. They joked with me, made me feel comfortable, and they cared for me to help ease my stress. I think I even laughed a few times! It has been a journey since that day, and I still can’t thank them enough for all the care and support they provided. Thank you, Dr. Fischer and team!

It was supposed to be nothing more than a quick ride to the store, but a small crack in the sidewalk changed everything. I went down, and just like that, plans for basketball, boating and endless outdoor fun were put on hold.

I broke my radius and dislocated my ulna, which led to a long night in the emergency room. They coordinated with Twin Cities Orthopedics and shared my case with Dr. Amy Moeller, who had treated me earlier that spring for a basketball-related thumb injury. By the next morning, Dr. Moeller’s team had reached out, and surgery was scheduled for the following day.

What followed was not just recovery. It was a mental and physical grind.

1,630 hours watching practices from the sidelines. 5,000 right-hand-only shots. 540 minutes of one-on-one, controlled basketball training. 350 minutes of right-hand-only ball handling. 12 physical therapy appointments.

After 97 mentally and physically exhausting days, I was finally given the green light to play basketball again, fully, freely and without restrictions. There were days I asked, ‘Why me? Will I ever get back?’ With the incredible support of the staff at TCO and everyone around me, I kept pushing.

All of that work paid off. In my first game back, I scored 14 points. That moment did not happen alone. It was made possible by the incredible care from Dr. Moeller and her team, the TCO hand therapy staff, and an unwavering network of family, trainers, coaches, teammates and friends.

What started as a simple summer outing became a powerful reminder of resilience, faith, and just how much heart it takes to fight your way back to the court.

I wanted to take a moment to share the exceptional care and professionalism I have received under the attentive care of Dan Silverberg. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs referred me to orthopedic care through the Office of Community Care because of my combat injuries that include my back, neck, stomach, shoulders, wrist, ankles, etc. My primary care doctor at the VA told me that I needed to try different modalities of care including orthopedics. Within ten visits at TCO, the severe pain I would normally experience has subsided. The large diastasis and associated bulge I would normally see has significantly reduced, and the pain I normally experience has lessened. While my disabilities are lifelong and I will never be completely healed, Dan has significantly helped me and I am very grateful.

I also work at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs where I was appointed by the president to lead finance and support to all of our clinics, hospitals, and veteran benefit programs. I have come across many skilled and committed professionals who dedicate their lives to helping people. I would put Dan Silverberg at the top of this list. If there are opportunities to train other physical therapists, I think he would be a fantastic choice to help Twin Cities Orthopedics lead from a place of excellence, experience, knowledge, and the art involved in this practice. Thank you for positively changing my life and allowing me to live a more full, enjoyable, and pain-free existence.

This past November, I suffered a serious injury during a workout at my local gym. I tore one of my hamstring muscles, the biceps femoris. The damage was extensive at 9 centimeters, and the pain was overwhelming. I struggled to sit comfortably, bend down to put on my shoes, or even tie them properly. In search of help, I turned to Dr. Jeremiah Johnson and his team at Twin Cities Orthopedics. From the very first visit, I was impressed by the outstanding care, professionalism, and compassion everyone provided. I am deeply grateful for the support and expertise while guiding me through this difficult period.

Thanks to Dr. Johnson’s treatment plan and the physical therapy I received at TCO, I have made remarkable progress. In less than sixty days, I am well on my way to recovery. While I still have therapy ahead to fully strengthen my muscles, I am confident that I will soon regain complete function in my hamstring muscles again. I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Johnson and his team to anyone seeking the highest level of care and recovery from such an injury. Thank you to everything at TCO for what you have all done to help me heal from this injury quickly.

My left shoulder was a mess from a car accident, arthritis, a fall from a ladder, and life in general. I had almost no strength in my arm and I couldn’t lift it above shoulder height. It really hurt! I had gotten a couple of cortisone shots to help with the pain, and it did work for a while.

After speaking with Dr. Pressman, he suggested shoulder replacement surgery. My rotator cuff was also torn, and the replacement would not only fix my shoulder ailments, but it would keep me in a sling for only two weeks. From my understanding, a rotator cuff surgery puts you in a sling for about six weeks, so a shorter timeline was great. I signed up for the procedure right then and there.

The entire process at the TCO Surgery Center went amazingly well. I spent the night in Edina and was out the next morning. I had physical therapy appointments scheduled and a fresh set of Under Armor “duds” they dressed me in. The care was phenomenal! I breezed through my two weeks, got rid of the sling, and started my final stretch of the recovery. Everyday got better as time went on. After about a month, I would go days where I didn’t even think about my shoulder. That was a sure sign that things were headed in the right direction.

I have a few weeks of scheduled recovery left but I am functioning well and back to doing some things that I have avoided for the past year. Best of all, I am pain free. Dr. Pressman and Raquel at TCO Eden Prairie made a great team and it was a pleasure to do business with them. On a 1 to 10 scale; they are a 12!

For years I suffered with knee pain attributed to arthritis. After suffering a few falls, which unfortunately had me landing on my knees, I began going to physical therapy in hopes of strengthening the knee and reducing the pain. The therapist at TCO highly recommended me to Dr. Bircher.

He has been wonderful with his calm and patient personality! He gently guided me through alternative procedures to surgery, since I felt I was not ready to go through with an operation yet. The cortisone injection sadly had no effect on my pain. A few months later, we tried a gel injection. It worked for two months and significantly relieved my pain, but not the full six months like we had hoped. We tried the gel injection one more time after a six-month break and there it had no effect that time. He never made me feel rushed during our appointments and he let me take my time voicing my fears and concerns. Thanks to Dr. Bircher’s patience and dedication in trying to find alternative solutions before surgery, I finally agreed to the knee replacement.

On the day of my procedure, I was reassured, impressed, and comforted during visits from his team as they each explaining their “role” in the process. The Rom-tech device and the ice compression machine were both vital in my first month of recovery. Regular physical therapy following the procedure was another requirement to help strengthen the knee and start regaining mobility. I cannot say enough good things about Dr Bircher, his team, and the TCO Excelsior therapy staff!

When you have a house full of rodeo riders, wrestlers, and football players, injuries are going to happen. At one point, we had seven broken bones in 14 months. That’s when we stopped going to the ER and started going straight to TCO Urgent Care in Vadnais Heights.

What makes Dr. Ockuly stand out is how approachable he is. He doesn’t just treat our boys, he gets to know them. He makes the experience feel personal and never rushed. They feel like they’re visiting a friend, not just a doctor. He even checks in after surgery or a big injury.

When my son Marshall broke his foot riding saddle bronc in North Dakota, he drove all the way home so he could go to TCO. That same weekend, we happened to see Dr. Ockuly at the state rodeo finals, and he took the time to check Marshall’s foot under a tent between events. That’s the kind of care you don’t forget.

Dr. Ockuly truly understands how important it is for kids to get back to doing what they love. Every conversation is clear, supportive, and focused on getting us back on track. As a mom, that kind of trust means everything. I know that no matter what, we’re in good hands.

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 broke my ankle playing soccer and came to Twin Cities Orthopedics. Dr. Mittelsteadt and the whole team were always kind, patient, and respectful. My surgery went smoothly. They guided me through physical therapy and my post-op appointments. Even when it came time to remove the hardware, I felt comfortable and supported. I never felt rushed or judged. I am very grateful for how they handled my whole recovery journey.