Patient Testimonials

Before hip surgery with Dr. Meyer, I was in absolute pain and couldn’t do much. I couldn’t skate, my golf was limited to just using my arms, and I was not comfortable even just sitting around. Now I enjoy activities again and I am rarely limited in what I do.

I had surgery for a synovial cyst on my spine in January 2017. I was quite miserable prior to the surgery, and the pain was gone after the surgery. Dr. Deal explained the proposed surgery in detail. I completed the physical therapy sessions after surgery. I was able to garden this summer and am able to do my household tasks. I am very happy with the results and thought Dr. Deal was very considerate.

My knee is so strong and I have been able to do many activities with no pain!

Dear Dr. Meisterling,

A note to thank you again for my good, healthy life. I am still pain free after knee replacements in June 2009 and April 2011 in Amery, WI. At 88 years old, my husband Louis (86 years old) and I go swimming and to fitness classes 4 times a week. I play cards, go to coffee, and do my housework. I think often of you and I thank you.

Sincerely,
Joan S.

I was recently out of town when I broke my leg – true story, and an embarrassing one. Well, I had to go to a nearby emergency room and all I could think about was, “Why can’t there be a TCO everywhere?” I’ve entrusted TCO with my foot, shoulder, and knee injuries. – Michele T., Sportscaster

Hello, TCO! I wanted to write in and share how thankful I am for Dr. Jason Holm and the fantastic work that he did to repair my badly broken leg/ankle. It’s been just about a year since my last/final surgery and 2½ years since my injury. I am thrilled, and oh so thankful to be back to my pre-injury life with no more pain! Only a few scars to remind me of my “little” riding accident when I broke my fib, tib and ankle into bits. Many of my family and friends will only share with me now that they never thought I would be 100% again but would likely be walking with a limp for the rest of my days. I’m so glad to have proved them wrong. One of my goals was to be able to get back to living the active outdoor life that I enjoyed before the injury, including hiking/backpacking in the mountains. This last October it happened! My husband and I took the Colorado backpacking trip that we were supposed to have done the fall after I broke my leg. The attached picture is of me at Snowmass Lake – 11,000 feet above sea level!  It was a very challenging 8½ mile trip each way, but absolutely no leg/ankle issues/pain or discomfort. This was the ultimate test of my healing and the great work of Dr. Holm. Thank you Dr. Holm and TCO for giving me my life back!

I can’t thank Dr. Gulli and his team enough for replacing my hips and taking great care of me. I can now walk my dogs pain free! I have recommended him to a number of people. Thank you Dr. Gulli and team!

After dealing with increasing pain in my hip that limited my active lifestyle, I gave in to the fact that I would need a hip replacement. I was referred to Dr. Hunt and that decision changed my life. He and his staff made me feel very comfortable by explaining what to expect during every step my process from consultation to surgery and post surgery. It’s coming up on one year since my surgery and I’ve climbed to the top of a Mayan Temple in Mexico; went parasailing in Belize; and went zip lining in Playa Del Carmen. Dr. Hunt is a great surgeon and I would recommend him to everyone!

I am so thankful to have listened to advice to see Dr. Owen O’Neill.  It was all an extremely positive experience. He took time to thoroughly explain everything. I trusted him immediately and had an anterior hip replacement in which I was pain free after surgery. I did not need anything stronger than Tylenol and only a few days with that. I still can’t believe how easy it was. I want to do way too much because the pain is gone!! I am back to walking and cleaning my house and looking forward to cross-country skiing this winter. Jessie was so kind, helpful and encouraging and I did better when I listened to her! Ann was always so helpful and friendly.  What wonderful care I had and I highly recommend Dr. O’Neill and his team. Thank you with all my heart.

Dr. Arntson’s Checklist:
Listens – CHECK
Does Not Judge – CHECK
Knowledge – CHECK
Provides Options (when appropriate) – CHECK
Straight Forward – CHECK
Compassionate/Cares About His Patients – CHECK, CHECK, CHECK

Above is just a short list of reasons I would recommend Dr. Arntson to anyone struggling with making that all important decision to move ahead with joint replacement. At age 48, I had my first total knee replacement by another reputable surgeon (now retired) with Twin Cities Orthopedics.  Based on the success of that replacement, 5 years later I knew I needed the other knee replaced. Sticking with TCO, I had my left knee replaced in November 2015.  6-months post-op my knee just didn’t feel right so I continued with visits to my doctor until finally at the 1-year post-op mark I went in for arthroscopy, resulting in the removal of minimal scar tissue.  Still not confident things were right, my doctor offered to scope again, but made the recommendation I see Dr. Arntson for a 2nd opinion.

My initial consult with Dr. Arntson resulted in his giving 100% to listening to me share my issues of both knees and replacement history. Following a line of questioning, checking the stability, etc., of my problem knee he informed me that with everything described and done to that point it was a “red flag” that the new joint of less than 2 years needed to be replaced. Needless to say I was shocked, and disappointed. Options were provided and all tried (lab work to rule out infection, injection, another scope). After all was said and done, and the shock of a revised replacement wore off, I knew what needed to be done and felt very prepared to go through another replacement; more importantly, I was very confident that Dr. Arntson was going to make this revision a success.

In early October 2017, the revision went ahead at Mercy Hospital. Unlike any other past surgeon, Dr. Arntson visited me each day I was in the hospital to ensure all was going well, changed the dressing and provided me information about the procedure itself. My first day of therapy in the hospital amazed both myself & my therapists. I made more progress in the first few days than expected and certainly far sooner than in the past! After 2-3 weeks I was experiencing some rather severe calf pain so Dr. Arntson ordered a scan to rule out a blood clot, which thankfully turned out negative. He called me at home with the results, as well as followed back around with another phone call a few days later to see how I was doing. I am now at week 5 post-op and doing very well.  Without a doubt, this “Rolls Royce” of new knees is going to get me back to my bowling average in no time at all. Thank you to Dr. Arntson, his surgical team and Mercy Hospital staff!

It would be remiss of me if I didn’t also give kudos to Kristen V., Dr. Arntson’s patient care coordinator!  Kristen, as a supervisor in a different line of medical profession, I know just how tough some days can be.  I truly appreciate all of the help you provided me before, during and after my surgery.