Patient Testimonials

On a five week trip to Italy, I was planning to go grape stomping like Lucy on the “I Love Lucy” television show. I was also to walk the Cinque Terre. Thirty days before my fearless adventure, I woke up and could not walk! TCO Eagan – Viking Lakes Orthopedic Urgent Care put me in the care of Dr. Laura Koch. She revealed that I did not need a hip replacement in the next hour. Her correct diagnosis put me in touch with the TCO Physical Therapy department. The assistant understood that I was in acute pain with upcoming travel plans. My travel agenda was not the best for her schedule, but she made it work.

Then I met Physical Therapist, Paul Breyen, who designed a program so great that he had me walking in thirty days. Once I was on my trip, I continued the recommended exercises. In Rome, I could walk 23,000 steps a day and run up and down the Spanish Steps. I did not take a tour bus but walked to all the attractions. At St. Peter’s Basilica, I gave thanks that I could feel so great at age 78. At the Trevi Fountain, I was pleased to “return” feeling as good as I did when I first visited there at the age of twenty-two!

Even today, the TCO home exercise program keeps me in shape for the very important grandmother job! Additionally, I just spent a month in Mexico with visits from two active granddaughters (one a captain of Minnetonka’s track team, one on Minnetonka’s State Girls Championship Soccer Team). There are no couch potatoes here. The enjoyment of keeping up with snorkeling, swimming and walking the beach with your grandchildren is a blessing! My journey of marvelous care from TCO started with Dr. Scott Anseth. Additionally, Heide Bolgren, PA-C, has twice treated me with outstanding results. All your great attention makes me happy and healthy.

PS. Last week I climbed Superstition Mountain in Arizona. My bucket list is long, so stay tuned for updates.

In 2011, after a work injury, I chose to see the fine surgeons of Twin Cities Orthopedics and it was determined that I needed my right hip replaced. This was the beginning of my experience with TCO. During my recovery, I did my physical therapy with TCO and worked with two amazing people; Shannon Burmeister and Jay Schindler. I spent a majority of my time with Shannon. She encouraged me to work really hard because she knew for me to be able to return to work, a very physical job, would mean I’d have to have my full range of motion back. I knew I had to do the work but she had such a kind way of coaching me through it all and it didn’t feel like work. She was positive and reassuring and she helped me regain my confidence on the new hip and I was able to return to work without restrictions. In 2013, I had my left hip replaced and again, I was blessed to work with Shannon in my recovery. Her hard work and dedication helped me to return to work from that surgery without restrictions as well. On my journey to become the “bionic man”, I had my left knee replaced in 2014 and the right knee replaced in 2015. By now, I felt a little like Norm, from Cheers, because when I showed up they all knew my name. The last surgery I had with TCO was in 2016 when they repaired a dislocated knee cap. This was probably the most grueling therapy of all but again, with Shannon’s help, I was able to get back to work and I’m happy to say, I have been back working ever since with no further complications. Whenever an opportunity presents itself, I share about the experience I had with my surgeons and my physical therapists. Their treatment and care was second to none. TCO helped put me back together again and for that I will always be grateful!

Good experience with Dr. O’Keefe, everything is going well.

I was injured during a family rollerskating event on New Year’s Eve 2018. I fell from a piece of metal abruptly catching my rollerskate. I was in excruciating pain, unable to walk without extensive pain, and our lives were changed for the unknown ahead of us. As we anticipated the outcome and uncertainty to find out what my injury was, TCO was amazing on every step of the way from my diagnosis of injury, surgery and recovery. All 3 of my hamstring muscles were torn off my pelvic bone and needed to be surgically screwed to my pelvic bone for proper healing to occur. I had been working at the school in our district and could no longer do anything except lay on my back at home.

Dr. Barry and Rebecca Muson, PA treated me very well and did everything necessary to get things rolling quickly and efficiently. The aftercare was inspiring as I continued to heal, which included a card, and follow-up calls. Not only did they work with me, but they also involved my husband in the recovery as I was no longer able to be the active wife/mother of 4 that I was. This injury was a huge lifestyle change within our household, but TCO gave us skills and tools to make the healing/recovery as manageable as possible. I am now 3 months out from my surgery and am seeing the benefits that TCO provided with their care. I am able to walk now with physical therapists helping me every week and I can almost sit without severe pain.

I would like to thank all of the staff at TCO Blaine for the excellent care they provided to me and my family. TCO will be my recommended choice for friends or family in need of orthopedic care. Thank you for everything Twin Cities Orthopedics!!!

Dr. Michael Nemanich did a great job. I had left hip replacement surgery late on a Wednesday afternoon. I was released from the hospital on Friday afternoon. By Sunday I was cutting back on pain meds. On Monday I was driving and went for a walk. A week after surgery I would walk for an hour. Ten days after surgery I walked for two hours. I am very grateful for the wonderful care.

I had a left hip replacement through the TCO EXCEL Program done by Dr. Arntson and within a few weeks, I had no use for a walker or cane. The surgery was perfect and Dr. Arntson was always there if I had a question or a concern. I totally recommend Dr. Arntson!

I have always been a competitor. I love the thrill of a race and physical fitness has now been even more important to me as I am a mom. In 2017, I was diagnosed with a hip labral tear with a FAI. It was slowing me down so I sought the help of Dr. Christopher Larson at TCO. In October 2017 I had the surgery. The procedure went well and I knew it was going to be a slow recovery but I worked hard at physical therapy and counted down the days until I could get back to running and yoga.

However, life threw me a curve ball. Fast forward 4 weeks later, something started to feel “off.” My TCO team was not concerned right away, as I had been following post-op instructions to the letter. However, after a few days concerns started to grow. After an MRI, I found out somehow (still a head scratcher) I had broken my femoral head clean off my femur. I am still Dr. Larson’s medical mystery. I was rushed the next day to emergency surgery and I was crushed with the news that I would not even be able to touch my toe to the ground for 6 weeks, plus many months of physical therapy. As a mom, I was crushed – how was I going to do this? I could not drown in my sorrows so I committed hard. I took zero narcotics post surgery – I need to be able to have a clear head and drive. I went to physical therapy twice a week for 4 months – I needed to be stronger after my surgery than before. I worked hard at home even when I was tired. My daughter and husband were my rocks. Ella, who is 6, even lent me her balance beam to do my exercises on – it was a family affair. Six months to the date of my surgery, I completed a 5K pain free and beat my pre-surgery record time. I cried for the first time. I can’t even describe that moment. I still have hard days and some days I can still feel everything, mentally and physically. In the end, this journey made me so much stronger and I am on my way to completing a half-marathon this summer. Thank you, Dr. Larson, for the amazing care. Thank you TCO for getting me back to being a mom and helping show my daughter that obstacles are worth overcoming.

Before surgery I had, at times, severe pain in both my knee and hip. I was unable to do stairs without feeling pain. Now I can run down them pain free. Thanks Dr. O’Keefe!

Everything went great! I wouldn’t think twice about doing it again. Pain free! Both Dr. O’Keefe and Nathan Dumm were wonderful. I would never consider going anywhere else.

I am so thankful for Dr. Conner doing a successful surgery to replace my worn out left hip in August, 2017. Also with this surgery, he was able to lengthen my life-long short left leg. His knowledge and skills for this surgery have brought me freedom from pain and mobility for my daily activities. Now one year following the surgery, I am able to be out planting flowers and help mow our yard. I am also thankful for his referral for physical therapy to help my body adjust to the changes from surgery.

Thanks to Shawn and all her work to set up the surgery and answer questions.

This was my second surgery with Dr. Conner. I am pleased with my treatment and care, and will continue seeing him for my orthopedic concerns.