Patient Testimonials

Dr. Szalapski replaced both of my hips. The first hip was 4 years ago and the other was in November 2019. Both times I could not have been more satisfied. My friends were amazed at how fast I was recuperating. I never used a walker and I only used a cane for one day. I recommend Dr. Szalapski whenever I can.

Thank you, Doctor!

Dr. Meisterling and his assistant Kayla, have been an extended part of my family for the past 10 years. I have degenerative joint disease which has led me to have both knees, one shoulder, two thumbs and, most recently, a hip replaced. Dr. Meisterling and Kayla have walked through them all with me. My recent hip replacement was particularly challenging. Different components of the hardware failed, resulting in two revisions within 3 months of having the initial hip replacement. Dr. Meisterling and Kayla were available, supportive and most importantly, my advocates as we had to schedule each of these procedures. I felt so cared for during the whole ordeal. I am so grateful for this team.

After 3 years of worsening hip pain, I finally decided to visit TCO. I saw Dr. Sanders and he was very helpful. He explained my condition to me and what I could expect for the future. It took me awhile to finally accept that I needed surgery and, after a COVID delay, my left hip was replaced in June 2020. Dr. Sanders did a great job, not only with the surgery, but helping me understand the process. I was walking hours after surgery and my pain was gone! I used a walker for about 8 days and then walked on my own. Within 3 weeks I was walking for 30 minutes every day and worked my way up to 1 hour (3 miles) by 2 months post op. I am so pleased with my recovery! I highly recommend Dr. Sanders and also encourage everyone to follow his directions and do the exercises!

Dr. Szalapski was brought to my attention by my regular physician. After an unfortunate encounter with an icy freeway in January 2020, I found myself in the ditch at 4:50am, on my way to work. My car was messed up, but I figured out later that my body was also. It started off as a nagging pain in my right hip after I hit black ice, drove into the ditch, and hit my hip on the center console at freeway speed. I had a clinic visit a few days later and after that, tried a cortisone shot, all to no avail. I continued working through the pain, which progressively got worse. Then came the Covid-19 lockdown. Clinics were closed for months for general visits. The pain got to the point where I could barely walk, let alone function at work.

Finally, I was able to see my regular doctor who referred me to Dr. Szalapski at Twin Cities Orthopedics. I was familiar with TCO, as I had a very successful right rotator cuff repair on my shoulder, which has held up GREAT since 2011 (thank you Dr. David Anderson). Now I’ve had a total right hip replacement done by Dr. Szalapski, and so far, I have to say, the quality of his surgical expertise, is remarkable! His bedside manner is impeccable, and he has a great sense of humor on top of it. I couldn’t be happier! Thank you Dr. Szalapski!

I was about 31 when I began having hip issues. Eventually I was referred to Dr. Anseth for full hip replacement. After having twins, then losing 100lbs, the ‘fat’ was what was practically holding my hips together. I was born with hip dysplasia so they basically were not working anymore, surprising they ever did. I was experiencing excruciating bone on bone and arthritis pain. I was 33 or so by the time surgery came around and could barely walk and keep up with my 3 year old twin girls. Both hips on scans did not look good, so I had one hip replacement done. Then about 2 years later, the other hip started doing same as first one.

Dr. Anseth was AMAZING. I have seen where a lot of surgeons have no ‘bed side manner’ and he was what all patients hope for. He was kind, made a point of getting to know me… I actually was being wheeled in at Abbott to have surgery on a broken finger with a different doctor a couple years later and I saw him. As he was getting ready for another patient surgery and he stopped to say hello. Was so nice he remembered me. I am now 42 and have had several surgeries, and Dr. Anseth by far is the very best! Thanks Dr. Anseth.

I had hip replacement surgery through the EXCEL program in June 2020. I was terrified to have surgery, but in unbearable pain. My life had come to a halt due to limited mobility and pain, so replacement was my only option. Dr. Owen O’Neill offered me reassurance that he “would get me through this” and he did exactly that! The pain following surgery is so much less than the pain before. Every staff I had contact with was professional, kind and compassionate, which put me at ease. Their knowledge and skill was notable. I had PT through TCO after surgery and again, with excellent staff, and I made good progress. Before surgery I did not even get 500 steps a day on my Fitbit, but now I easily get 10-12,000, without using a cane! I can put on my socks and shoes without pain. I can get into my car without intense pain. Sitting, standing, walking and sleeping are all pain-free now. I am eternally grateful to Dr. O’Neill and all the staff at TCO in their clinic and EXCEL program. As a nurse, and as a patient, I would highly recommend Dr. O’Neill and the TCO EXCEL program. I feel like I have my life back again, and this is huge!

I had a total hip replacement August 4, 2020 at the age of 55. Dr. Owen O’Neill‘s team was so fantastic before, during and after surgery! I wasn’t one who wanted to know the details of how the surgery would be performed but knew that I would feel better once it was done. The team provided information, answered my questions, and I felt they were there with me all the way, figuratively holding my hand through the process. Friends and neighbors would tell me it will be so much better after surgery, but I had no idea how right they were. We talk about our pain level on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the worst pain you can imagine. Life before surgery had been a constant 5 or 6 and I would need over the counter pain relief 2 to 3 times a week to get to sleep. Since the surgery, my pain level was a 2 for a few days and I hit 3 once when I moved wrong. I didn’t need the pain relief medication beyond the recommended 2 weeks (I probably didn’t really need it that long but I follow rules). I have been walking every day and have worked up to 30 minute walks which I had not been able to do for almost a year prior to surgery. At 7 weeks post-surgery I was cleared to return to normal activity level. I was happy to be able to mow the lawn. I’ve been raking leaves and looking forward to shoveling snow this winter. I am so thrilled that I can be active and not have the pain. Thank you Dr. Owen O’Neill and team!! I would highly recommend your team to anyone I meet who is in need of a new hip!

I am very thankful and appreciative of Dr. David Anderson’s surgery to replace my left hip. His professionalism and engagement were helpful in easing my concerns, as this was my first surgery ever!

On October 1, 2020 I had an anterior hip replacement at the Blaine Surgery Center. I went from having pain every day in my hip (to the point that it was hard to walk) to waking up from the hip replacement and no longer having that pain! I have had some surgical pain but nothing that compares to the previous discomfort. I am about 2.5 weeks post-surgery and walking 18 minutes twice per day, along with my daily exercises. I was fortunate that I was able to manage any discomfort with Ibuprofen or Tylenol. I feel like I am on my way to getting my life back! A huge thank you to Dr. Arntson and his team for their wonderful care through this process.

I want to thank Dr. Knowlan and his team for the amazing job they did replacing my hip on September 8, 2020. I have no pain and I can hardly see the scar. I am sincerely grateful!