Patient Testimonials

I suffered with pain in my right shoulder for several years due to arthritis and eventually was in constant pain. It was disrupting my sleep and kept me from activities I used to enjoy. Dr. Kelly provided me with the treatment options, including full shoulder replacement surgery. At age 58, I wasn’t looking forward to surgery and weeks of recovery, but in August 2014 I took the plunge. I couldn’t be happier with every aspect of my choice to have Dr. Kelly and his team perform my surgery. I have known Dr. Kelly for several years and have found him to be an extremely talented surgeon who takes the time to answer my questions and help me decide what will be best for me. Because Dr. Kelly arranged my surgery through the EXCEL program, the entire process was extremely well-planned and coordinated. My surgery experience only took a few hours at the Crosstown Surgery Center in Edina, with a one-night hotel-like stay in a wonderful facility with a private room and fantastic nursing care. I was relaxed and slept very well that night (as compared to no sleep during previous stays in a hospital). The surgery went as smoothly as Dr. Kelly and Kaici had explained and my recovery went much faster and easier than I had ever anticipated. Within 6 weeks of surgery, I was using my shoulder for most of my normal day-to-day activities, and the shoulder continued to gain strength and rotation from the physical therapy and exercises. I have re-gained full use of my shoulder and don’t even think about it anymore. I was washing windows this spring and smiled because I realized I was using my right arm/shoulder – something I would not have done a year ago. I’m not sure why I waited so long to get it done! Everyone from the reception staff, the surgical team and recovery nurses were outstanding – their personal touch and genuine caring made me feel like a VIP! The EXCEL program was a blessing because it allowed me to get through joint replacement with minimal disruption in my life. For anyone considering any kind of orthopedic surgery, I would encourage you to consider Twin Cities Orthopedics. Dr. Kelly and TCO will always be my first and only choice for orthopedic care!

My knee replacement with Dr. Kelly and the EXCEL program is one of the best medical experiences I’ve ever had. From the check- in at the surgery center to the discharge at York Gardens, everything was just wonderful. The staff is excellent. Every single doctor, nurse, therapist, and aide was a highly skilled professional who delivered such great care. I never sat around waiting for help – there was always someone right there when I needed them. There was also really good communication between all the team members so they were always up to speed on what was happening with me. There were so many small details that added up to big differences. Like no hospital gowns (!) I was given comfortable athletic wear instead. And I had the same two nurses the whole time at the rehab facility – one of them even came along in the van to pick me up from the surgery center. I felt so well cared for every step of the way. I would recommend this program to anybody who is considering surgery. It was truly outstanding.

I can’t say enough good words to express my appreciation for Dr. Kelly and his staff.

When researching doctors for my shoulder replacement surgery, I wanted to meet with Dr. Kelly because of what I read about his expertise in this area. I met a friendly, down-to-earth man with a sense of humor. I felt like a person he cared about instead of a number as I had found with other doctors I had seen.

After he explained the procedure to me I left confident I had found the right doctor.

I was so right! The surgery went well, as have all the follow-up appointments. Thanks also go to the team of people working with Dr. Kelly.

I guess you can say I’ve become one of Dr. Kelly’s biggest fans!

I have been going to the BWCA (Boundary Waters Canoe Area) since 1964 when my father took me on my first trip to this magical, wonderful place. Since then I have made 25-30 trips back to the BWCA, recently with my sons and nephews. To say that it has a special place in my heart is a gross understatement. 2 years ago I came off the last portage in near tears, suffering from arthritic pain. Since then, Dr. Owen O’Neill, Dr. Ed Kelly and their expert staffs have replaced 2 shoulders, 2 hips and 1 knee. The attached photo was taken earlier this year and shows me and my team (including my youngest son and nephew) over-looking “our unnamed lake” in the BWCA. We traveled over 10 miles to get there, crossing 3 lakes, 4 portages and 3 rivers. My sincere thanks to Dr. Kelly, Dr. O’Neill and their expert staffs for giving me this important piece of my life back! I strongly recommend them both and encourage you to schedule a visit if you are in pain like I was!

On a scale of 1 to 10, Dr. Kelly deserves an 11. Two years ago I had total shoulder replacement. This past May I had total knee replacement. Today I am playing tennis with my grandchildren with an arm and a knee that move as normal as anyone could expect for someone 70 years old. Having been active all my life, Dr. Kelly literally gave me my life back as I had known it. I am very grateful for his skill, and most especially for his insistence that I trust him in the rehab period. I did and the rest is very good history.

I’ve known Dr. Edward Kelly for almost 10 years, in that time he has replaced both shoulders and both knees. Dr. Kelly is not only a skilled surgeon, he is a humanist. He cares about the whole patient and is skilled at listening to his patient’s needs on both physical and emotional level. He makes you feel as if you are his only patient and considering the size of his practice is a feat of its own. He has given me back my active life — my osteoarthritis limited my physical activity and in general everyday activities. The surgeries were very successful — I have full range of motion on both shoulders and both knees. I thank Ed, Kaici and his whole team for great care and caring.

Dr. Kelly is knowledgeable, patient and thorough. He has put my arm back together and offered opinion on knee surgery. I always leave his exam room knowing I got the best advice.

I had my first appointment with Dr. Kelly and his staff today. I was specifically looking for a surgeon with shoulder fellowship training of which there are very few in the Twin Cities area. I was immediately pleased to meet his P.A., Lindsey. She was friendly, casual yet very professional and seemed interested in me and my history and the symptoms that brought me to their facility. I then got to meet Dr. Kelly and his scribe and secretary, Kaici. Dr. Kelly was very friendly and interested in allowing me to tell my history and what I was hoping to achieve in this visit. I was impressed with his casual yet concerned attitude. He described everything he planned to do for me that day, introduced me to Kaici and the orthopedic fellow in training he had with him. I never felt rushed at any time. I felt like I was acknowledged as an individual and treated with respect and understanding at all times. Although I have had shoulder injections by other doctors before, I never had an ultrasound to look at the shoulder and the major tendons, bursa, muscles and skeletal structure before. He explained very clearly what damage he found and explained why I had the symptoms I had. He used that ultrasound to guide his needle in placing the local anesthetic and after an appropriate amount of time he then placed the steroid injection with no pain only a sense of pressure. I have never been more comfortable with this type of injection as I was today. He made sure I was comfortable at all times which I appreciated very much. I felt I received high quality care from Dr. Kelly and that it was delivered in a personal, profession yet very friendly manner. I had some questions regarding pre-op teaching and Kaici took time from her schedule to help me by getting the information to me. She also was very friendly and it was apparent to me as a retired RN with 35 years experience, that Kaici and Lindsey really enjoyed working with Dr. Kelly. I would highly recommend anyone looking for a shoulder or elbow specialist that they come to see Dr. Kelly. They will not be disappointed.

I had my 3 month checkup with Dr. Kelly for my left shoulder replacement today, and I must say that my journey since meeting Dr. Kelly for my shoulder has been nothing short of amazing. Less than 3 months after replacement, I have zero pain, and have recovered most of my range of motion. I must also mention his staff. They are very friendly and always make you feel comfortable. A huge thank you to all of you.

Dr. Kelly –

I want thank you, and let you know how much I appreciate all that you have done for me. I know it’s going to take me a while to get back to normal, but before you know it, I’ll be on that motorcycle in no time. You and your staff have been terrific.

Kaici has been wonderful. She was always quick to respond to every message and request that my wife, Debbie and I have made. Debbie needed a form filed out by the doctor for FMLA leave at work. Kaici e-mailed the completed form within a couple of hours, in spite of her busy schedule. Thank you, Kaici.

Justina was a huge help in getting all our questions answered about physical therapy and my care at York Gardens. It was nice of her to visit me during my stay and introduce herself. She even stuck around on my last day, until Debbie got there so she could meet her also. Debbie said this busy woman needs an assistant to help her with all her messages. Thank you, Justina.

The nurses at York Gardens, Andrea, Margaret, Stacy, Michelle and Laura (PT) were all wonderful. Andrea reminded me so much of my daughter-in-law who is a registered nurse in California. They all took such good care of me. They are also very good listeners. Thanks to all of you.