Patient Testimonials

Dr. Kelly performed my right shoulder reverse replacement. I am 92 years old, and my right arm had a 5% range of motion. I am right-handed, so the lack of function in my right arm was a challenge. I live independently in my own home, and performing day to day functions was difficult. I had two goals when I decided to have the surgery. The first goal was pain reduction, which has been achieved. I now have no pain related to my right shoulder. The second goal was to increase the functionality of my right arm so I could perform normal daily functions again. I now have 100% range of motion and can lift my arm above my head. I can now drive my car. I can now use a cane or walker, which I had not been able to do for about a year. Dr. Kelly and his team were professional and compassionate throughout my surgery journey. I felt very good about the process and the end result.

Dr. Jason Barry and Rebecca Munson did a great job replacing my right shoulder. Before I had surgery, I couldn’t even lift a coffee cup or tie my shoes. Now, I am five weeks post-surgery and have a 25-pound limit. I have full range of motion and no pain. Dr. Barry also performed replacement surgery on my left shoulder back in 2018. Both are working well and have given me a new lease on life.  Dr. Barry and Rebecca Munson are an amazing care team if you ever need replacement surgery.

Dr. Bjerke performed surgery on my left shoulder on October 9th, 2024. I have been pleased with the results. My mobility and strength are improving every day; and I have not experienced any pain or soreness in my shoulder for quite some time.

There are four important factors in the success of my surgery:

1. I had an excellent surgeon and team that performed the surgery
2. I received a note in my post-surgery packet regarding a rental of cold compress machine. I did rent one and used it extensively for the first two to three weeks after surgery. This was very important in managing my pain. I did not have to use any prescribed pain medicine, just a heavy regiment of Advil and Tylenol.
3. Dr. Bjerke referred me to Mike Dickey for physical therapy. He is very good! He knows how to rehabilitate a shoulder and knows the intricacies of what is going to happen in recovery each week. I was very faithful following his rehab exercises and it paid off.
4. I had a great caregiver as my wife who has first-hand experience in rotator-cuff surgeries.

My activity level is improving. I am playing tennis three times a week, and I am not feeling any aftereffects in my shoulder. My workouts at the gym are going well. I am using light weights but also staying away from exercises that Dr. Bjerke and Mike Dickey recommended not doing. I am still doing my Mike Dickey rehab exercises faithfully. This was not a fun surgery. Recovery is long and I still feel like I am recovering. But I am glad I had it done and it is over. I made the right decision. Thank you to Dr. Bjerke being a great doctor and working with me through this multi-year shoulder experience.

I had a right shoulder joint replacement. Dr. Hunt did a phenomenal job! I had the nerve block which lasted three days and I had no pain. Icing helped with swelling as well. I was at the TCO EXCEL recovery suite overnight. Everyone there was very kind and took good care of me. They are where attentive to my needs. I highly recommend TCO!

Dr. Ockuly performed a total reverse shoulder replacement for me in May. Prior to my surgery, I was not able to work over head or shoot my shot gun. I love to go bow hunting and was not able to shoot my vertical bow. He told me I would be shooting my bow by Fall. It was true and I couldn’t be happier. The TCO team was excellent.

My thanks to Dr. Butterfield and his surgical team for the left total shoulder replacement. Dr. Butterfield’s expertise and precise technique has given me an excellent outcome from this surgery in April of 2025. Dr. Butterfield and his team did a total right shoulder replacement in August of 2021 as well. I went to TCO with a lot of pain in both instances and each outcome resulted in zero pain. TCO’s physical therapy staff showed me how to regain full use of both shoulders. Dr. Wetter also replaced both of my hips back in 2016 and 2018, also with no pain afterwards. The four surgeries I have had have been life changing. Thank you!

Dr. Edward Kelly performed Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement on both of my shoulders. My arthritis and torn rotator cuff attachments limited my ability to do many things before. I now have increased range of motion in both shoulders – motion I have not had in over twenty years. Until I experienced “no pain” in my shoulders after surgery, I didn’t realize how much pain I was in every day.

The whole process, from my first visit through recovery, Dr. Kelly and his staff were there caring for me in a friendly and professional manner. The preparation for surgery, the facility, and everyone involved in my surgeries, were beyond my expectations. I highly recommend Dr. Kelly and his staff! Don’t wait, get it done sooner than later! Having use of my arms makes me feel that I am back in control and can now look forward to more years doing what I want to do. Thank you, Dr. Kelly, and Staff!

My first experience with Dr. Ockuly was five years ago when I needed a hip replacement. He took time to explain the x-rays and promised me he would do his best to fix my hip. It was a very successful surgery. Four weeks later, I had finished PT and could walk without any assistance. Next came a completely torn shoulder that could not be fixed except for a total reverse shoulder replacement. At first, Dr. Ockuly wanted me to try PT. Eighteen weeks later, Dr. Ockuly told me I was doing better than what surgery would do. Now I’m facing replacement of both knees but not before having a few years of alternative therapies.

I highly recommend Dr. Ockuly to anyone needing surgery. He is very knowledgeable and experienced. He takes time to explain the situation and what plans are available for treatment. His entire team is caring, competent, and really treats you like family. His PA, Annie Merrill, is an invaluable member of his team before, during, and after surgery.

My experience with TCO has been outstanding. I had both my shoulders replaced, 6 weeks apart, as a result of arthritis and past injuries. I appreciate the way the TCO makes sure you have your pain meds in advance of your surgery so that, when you get home from your hospital stay, your meds are waiting for you and there is no lapse in pain coverage. Dr. Mair has been great though the whole experience. Before my first surgery, Dr. Mair came and sat and talked with my wife and I. Dr. Mair is very down-to-earth and explains things in a way that we could both understand. I really appreciated the caring way he spoke with us. Following each surgery, Dr. Mair reached out to me several times in text messages to see how I was doing and if I had any questions. I have never had a Doctor do that before. It was very reassuring. My transition to Physical therapy went very smoothly. I appreciate Dr. Mair and his team. They are pushing me but not too hard. I also appreciate the EXCEL program with its coverage of all parts of the experience and a single billing for everything. I have spoken with numerous people that are thinking of having surgery on various body parts and have encouraged them to seek out TCO for what they needed. Thanks for all that you do!

An absolutely amazing experience from beginning to end to beginning again. Advocating for my 80-year-old mother, and as a medical professional, I anticipated the exact opposite of the wonderful exposure to TCO that we did have.

Dr. Edward Szalapski and his staff were clear & timely in the management of appts, step by step process to her surgical date, articulate direction during pre-op consenting for care. Their new state of the art facility felt like an extension of home, not a post-surgical hospital recovery unit with loud call lights and screaming patients during the night. It was silent, comfortable and compassionate.

Post discharge, I was anticipating at the 48-hour mark for surge in perceived pain after a total shoulder replacement, but there was minimal pain during recovery. On post-op day #4, with her shoulder and arm completely covered, we laughed as we considered the notion, “Did he even do surgery?”

As a nurse, I was prepared, yet Dr. Szalapski’s team was more prepared. The nerve block by anesthesia was perfection, the education and follow up care exceptional…so much so that we are beginning again….prayerful that the total replacement of her right shoulder will resemble the essence of the first! To help allow great grandma do what she loves to do….hold her baby grands!