Patient Testimonials

I found out that I had avascular necrosis and my doctor said I needed a hip replacement as soon as possible. Dr. Vanden Berge and his staff were always on time, pleasant to talk with, and very informative. I was walking right away after surgery, and the first step was the greatest of all time. I had no pain! If I have to get my left hip done in the future, I know I will be going to TCO and seeing Dr. Vanden Berge again.

I first sought chiropractic treatment and then physical therapy for my left hip pain. My X-rays revealed severe arthritis. At 67 years old, I was hoping to avoid surgery, but when I could no longer walk more than two blocks, I knew it was time. A co-worker recommended Dr. O’Neill, and he performed my left hip replacement using the anterior approach in July 2025. My right hip was also severely affected by arthritis, and Dr. O’Neill replaced it in October 2025. Recovery from both hip replacements was easy, consisting mainly of walking and a few exercises at my kitchen counter.

Meanwhile, I had been dealing with various right knee injuries for decades, including a fractured patella in three pieces, arthritis, and pain. I consulted with Dr. O’Neill about my knee and my X-rays showed it was also in rough shape. We went forward with a right knee replacement in April 2026. The recovery was more intense with regular physical therapy and home exercises to achieve the best possible outcome. But if I can do it, anyone can! If you are looking for a skilled, knowledgeable surgeon for hip or knee replacement surgery, look no further than Dr. O’Neill. He and his team are wonderful! I want to give a big thank you to Ann, Lauren, Kaylyn, the pre-operative staff, Randy, Mary, Lindsey, William, the EXCEL Care Suites staff, and my physical therapists. I am very grateful to have had such skilled medical and surgical professionals!

I thought my riding career was about to be over when I was experiencing excruciating pain which prevented me from sitting on a saddle. I couldn’t ride effectively with the pain. I saw Dr. O’Neill half expecting that I would have to be done with riding forever. However, he assured me that I would be able to ride again after a hip replacement. The surgery went well! Ann was amazing at answering my questions before and after the procedure, and my recovery went very well. I did need some physical therapy afterwards to help regain a full range of motion. Jeff LaPlante was fabulous in helping me get there. I am happy to report that I am back in the saddle and pain free! I cannot thank Dr. O’Neill and his team enough for all their great care and follow-up assistance. Dr. O’Neill is a technical wizard! The equipment and technology that used to execute a flawless replacement is a marvel. Anyone that asks me for a referral gets one answer! Get it done by Dr. O’Neill and get back to living! A huge thank you to Dr. O’Neill and the TCO team!

I received a hip replacement by Dr. Bircher and his team a few months after my husband died. I had been experiencing pain in my right hip, knee, and groin while giving care to my husband, but I didn’t realize my condition was strictly due to my hip. I was able to get prompt surgery after being expertly diagnosed by Dr. Bircher. I am 85 years old and live with my labradoodle, Roger. I was able to return home after a one-day hospital stay with the EXCEL program and was surprised how easily I was able to manage myself and Roger with only a few assists from my son.

I live on nine acres of land which was my husband’s outdoor kingdom. I didn’t think I would be able to maintain it and that I would have to move. However, I convalesced quickly and have no hip pain. I have been able to do much of the yard work and continue to live here with some outdoor help. I don’t think I would have been able to stay in our home and be this active again without such a good surgical outcome. I am very grateful for the opportunity I now have to continue living in my home for as long as possible. A big thank you to Dr. Bircher and his team!

I had dislocated my right hip 16 times and was warned by several emergency room doctors that I needed revision surgery to correct my hip. I decided to make an appointment to see Dr. Bircher, one of the many physicians at TCO Maple Grove. He assessed my hip and explained the process of hip replacement surgery which he recommended I have done. Leaving his office, I was a little nervous since I’m 78 years old and had bad luck with a prior surgery. However, after rolling over in bed, the dislocation happened again. I called Dr. Bircher and made an appointment for the surgery.

I had my procedure at North Memorial in Robbinsdale on April 15th. The entire staff was amazing from start to finish. Dr. Bircher’s team was fantastic! The next day I was discharged and walking. My new hip seemed to fit like a glove. I had no pain and was able to put full weight on my right leg. I sure did a lot of worrying for nothing. Now, I am four months post-op and still have no pain. I want to give a big thank you to Dr. Bircher and his team!

I was born with a defective hip. After 11 years spent trying to find answers, Dr. Larson figured it out three minutes. Because of his medical expertise, I enjoyed 16 pain-free years. In July 2025, my hip eventually needed a total replacement. I made 13 visits to the ER and saw three orthopedic surgeons outside of TCO. Every provider told me it was sciatic pain, but I knew from my experience before seeing Dr. Larson that that wasn’t the problem.

After all this, I found my way back to TCO and meet with Dr. O’Neill. He determined that my hip was bone on bone and was ready for a replacement. The hip replacement procedure was life changing! Four days after surgery, I lost my cane because I walked away from it. I walked up four stairs with ease before I noticed the cane was missing and I wasn’t using it. From diagnosis to restoration, Dr. Larson and Dr. O’Neill changed my life. I was frustrated and depressed with the care I received prior to finding them. They gave me hope and a future I can enjoy again. Dr. Larson and Dr. O’Neill will always be my first stop from now on.

Many thanks to Dr. Bircher for the successful hip replacement surgery, wonderful support, and exceptional care that he provided me. It’s so great to be able to walk again without pain and participate in all the things I enjoy doing!

Dr. Owen O’Neill performed my total left hip replacement, and for me, it truly was a life-changing experience!

My husband and I are amateur competitive ballroom dancers, and for years, I danced despite worsening hip pain. With the help of Advil and other anti-inflammatory medications, I managed to keep going until last September, when the pain became so excruciating that I could barely walk. I initially met with another orthopedic practice, where I was encouraged to have a cortisone injection. Knowing it would only postpone the inevitable need for a hip replacement, I decided to seek a second opinion. A friend who had experienced a difficult hip replacement gave me some advice I’ll never forget: “Find a surgeon who has performed thousands of hip replacements – not hundreds, but thousands.”

My search led me to Dr. Owen O’Neill, and I couldn’t be more grateful that it did. From the very beginning, Dr. O’Neill and his team provided a clear, well-structured program designed to deliver the best possible outcomes for his patients. I simply followed their instructions and their plan the way a good cook follows a trusted recipe. Today, just ten weeks after surgery, I’m feeling strong, pain-free, and ready to return to the dance floor.

Recovery wasn’t always easy. It takes patience, commitment, and time to heal. But every step of the journey has been worth it. I now have a new hip, a new outlook, and the freedom to enjoy the activities I love again. I am deeply grateful to Dr. O’Neill and his outstanding team for giving me my life back!

Thank you, TCO, for a life-changing hip replacement and exceptional care. After years of hip stiffness and pain from osteoarthritis, I had surgery with Dr. David Hartigan in August 2025 and started my rehab. Six months later, I saw major progress when transitioning between walking and completing two 5Ks in 2026. At 65 years old, I am stronger, faster and pain-free. I’m grateful for the professionalism, support, and outstanding results from the entire TCO team.

Dr. Vanden Berge did my mom’s hip replacement. She is 84 years old. He is a wonderful, compassionate doctor. He even called my mom several times to check in with her personally. I highly recommend Dr. Vanden Berge for hip surgery.