Patient Testimonials

Had my knee replaced on June 1st by Dr. Butterfield. After months of trying various options to relieve my knee pain, it was decided to do a total knee replacement. Dr. Butterfield did a FANTASTIC job! I have my quality of life back after only 3 months. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome!

I would recommend Dr. Hunt to anyone he is the best surgeon bar none.

*Steven had a knee replacement and shoulder replacement done with Dr. Hunt at TCO

Dr. Gerlach performed an emergency transfer of a tendon to my thumb. I now have full use of my thumb on my dominant hand. Throughout the pre-op and post-op visits, he explained everything in detail and always seemed like he had all the time in the world to answer my questions. Dr. Gerlach was very skilled and kind. In addition, the hand therapist, Lisa Smith, who works closely with him, provided great therapy and advice on improving strength and range of motion. Lisa is also very talented and kind. Thank you so much.

Randy Wittman, former NBA player and coach, had been experiencing continual knee and hip pain for 20-plus years before he came to Twin Cities Orthopedics’ Brian O’Neill. Dr. O’Neill performed hip surgery for Randy, and then a knee replacement 6 weeks later.

With help from TCO’s EXCEL Program and Dr. O’Neill, Randy was able to return to his regular lifestyle, traveling, playing golf, and walking without pain. “I’ve gone through a lot of surgeries—back, three knee replacement operations—and the EXCEL Program was the best. It wasn’t like being in a hospital. I went from the surgery to a private suite, and was connected to a nurse for the whole process of both my hip and knee—that nurse is like a sister to me now,” says Wittman. “And for insurance and billing, you get one bill. That’s it, at the end of the process. It made everything so much easier for me to use the EXCEL Program.”

*Randy Wittman’s story was featured in the September ’16 Issue of MPLS St. Paul Magazine. See more here

I just wanted to make sure that I fully expressed my appreciation for all of the people at Twin Cities Orthopedics. They ALL went above and beyond my expectations in order to help me with my unique and untimely injury. And ALL truly means each and every one. From the very first interaction it was as if I had gone to another level of patient care that I had never experienced before.

When I came by to drop off the imaging CD from my ER visit, the very personable and exceptionally nice woman at reception took extra time to upload the CD so that I could keep the disk for backup. She also took the time to hand carry it to the imaging department as her computer terminal was not confirming the upload. Lisa Long went the extra mile to fit me into Dr. Coetzee’s schedule so that he could perform the surgery before he went out of town. And then she went another extra mile to fit me in on a reschedule when insurance referral issues delayed the first surgery opportunity. Mary Wolf and Kristine Odegard both put in a herculean effort to get my insurance’s referral approved in two days, when it usually takes the system ten to fourteen. Larry Nilsson, Dr. Coetzee’s Physician Assistant with Jackie Fritz took out the stitches and advised me with care. And every interaction was personable, kind and not hurried or dismissive in any way. Each of these feats alone puts Twin Cities Orthopedics in the incredible category, but for them to all happen in coordination to attend to a patient’s urgent need is a health care synergy that is head and shoulders above any other medical interaction I have had in my 57 years – and my penchant for extreme sports has given me many interactions from which to claim my assessment to be authoritative. And of course, the personable and positive attitude of one of the very small handful of the very best foot and ankle doctors in the world – Dr. Coetzee – gave comfort and confidence that the best possible outcome for this unfortunate injury is in the cards. There just could not have been a better clinic to go to as Twin Cities Orthopedics and Dr. Coetzee are simply in a stand-alone, superlative category of patient care.

I met Dr. Eggert after I broke both bones in my lower right leg while going to get the mail and slipping on ice.  He performed surgery, including putting a titanium rod inside the tibia from the knee to the ankle, along with screws to hold it in place.  The recovery process is close to finished and has gone smoothly, absolutely no complaints.  I am thankful that Dr. Eggert is my doctor.  He is a kind, caring doctor, skilled surgeon, and a very nice person.  I am very pleased with the work he did and would highly recommend him to others in a similar need.

The EXCEL program sounded too good to be true. However, I had a nice comfortable suite, no ugly hospital gown and I felt much more at ease than in a hospital. Instead of feeling exhausted when leaving the hospital after surgery, I felt somewhat rested and closer to “normal.” I even got to drink a coke!

I highly recommend the EXCEL program. The care was great and I felt very comfortable there.

I am an active person and a professional gardener. I was able to work this spring after having surgery at the end of January. I got a lot of support and encouragement from Dr. Mair and Erin. I am even planning a backpacking trip this fall. Last year I was afraid these things would not be possible.

Bill H., my husband, had a total left knee done in April of 2015 and then he had his right knee done in January of 2016.  He is back on his bicycle and did his first Tour de Tonka last Saturday.  Bill just recently retired from nursing (he had a 40 year career in pulmonary and critical care/trauma) and I am also a nurse, so we understand how extraordinary his experience was and how well he has progressed. As Bill’s wife, I am just thrilled with the outcome of his surgeries.  Dr. O’Neill and his team gave him back his mobility and enhanced his quality of life.

I can’t express enough the satisfaction I have had with all aspects of my surgery, starting with Dr. Panek and all the adjunct caregivers from the hospital stay to his assistant Will. Dr. Panek’s expertise, intelligence, kindness and reassuring manner was absolute top notch. The surgery went perfectly, the results are such a relief to my well-being. I was able to regain my strength and flexibility within three to six months of the surgery. I went on a month long trip to Europe at the beginning of the sixth month, that he predicted could happen for me without pain or discomfort. I am forever grateful to my friend for recommending him. Thank you Dr. Panek.

I had knee replacement surgery and had only visited Dr. O’Neill once before the surgery. He told me I had a torn meniscus but also a lot of arthritis so I would need a knee replacement. He was very professional, courteous, and kind. He did a great job and the scar is minimal. I highly recommend him.