Patient Testimonials

I’ve been a gymnast all my life; starting at the age of six. I was in love with the sport and good at it too. When I was twelve years old I had elbow pain and went in to see a doctor. He told me that I had osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in the bone of my elbow. I was held back from gymnastics and locked in a brace for nearly a year and a half, hoping that the rest from gymnastics would allow my bone to regenerate blood flow and heal. That wasn’t the case. Nothing had healed and my gymnastics career was looking bleak. I went to plenty of different doctors looking for second opinions or new options, but had no relief.

This is when I found Dr. Lervick; he told me to go back to gymnastics and we would see how my elbow would hold up. I was informed about the risks, that a piece of my bone could dislodge from the original. In that situation I would need surgery. A couple months later, the worst happened and a chunk of bone within my elbow broke free. At this time I was around 14 years old and approaching the State and Regional Championships. I wasn’t able to attend because of my elbow which left me devastated.

A few weeks later I was in for surgery with Dr. Lervick to do a microfracture surgery. He took the loose bone out of my elbow and punctured tiny holes in my bone to create blood flow. It was a quick four month recovery and I was back at gymnastics. Since then my elbow has caused me no pain and no problems. Currently, I am 19 years old and a division 1 gymnast at Iowa State University. I owe a huge thanks to Dr. Lervick and his team. They helped me complete my dream of being a college gymnast. My elbow and I plan on doing big things and it is all thanks to Dr. Lervick.

After struggling for several years with increasing knee pain due to arthritis-driven meniscus wear (exacerbated by my avid pursuit of adult league alpine ski racing), I decided to have my right knee joint replaced. Dr. Andrea Saterbak was repeatedly recommended to me by local ski team coaches and other racers, and when I learned that she did a fellowship at the Steadman clinic in Vail, that she was affiliated with the US Ski Team and that she was a ski racer herself, I knew she was the surgeon for me. Andrea listened carefully to my goals for the surgery and without sugar-coating the level of effort that would be involved in the recovery, provided the confidence I needed to move ahead. I selected the outpatient option at the High Pointe Surgery Center, and was home by 3 p.m. the day of surgery. As predicted, the recovery is a much slower, longer process, but the post-operative support and physical therapy included in Dr. Saterbak’s practice were instrumental in getting me back on the snow. At 6 months post-op, I was waterskiing and wake surfing. At 9 months post-op, I resumed ski racing (at about 80% speed). Make no mistake – full healing is taking a long time for me. It’s been 14 months since my surgery, and the new knee still is not pain-free, but the discomfort has gone down steadily since the surgery. I’m sure that by the time my second post-op ski season starts this fall, I’ll be back at full speed. Based on my experience surrounding the procedure and my return to the sports I enjoy, it’s easy for me to recommend Dr. Saterbak and her practice colleagues to others. Thank you, Andrea!

Dr. Deal performed surgery on my neck (discectomy and fusion C5 and/or C6) in December 2015. I have degenerative disc disease, had a herniated disc, suddenly last year I was in total pain. My symptoms were getting worse (right arm was going numb, severe neck pain, headaches). They were making it hard to do any type of exercise or sports, even work was a struggle. My family is very athletic and outdoors. I was slowly missing out because of the pain. I cannot tolerate pain medication so that was not even an option. I couldn’t ride my bike more than a few minutes without my arm going numb. I couldn’t keep up with my children. However, Dr. Deal changed all that. I just had my 6 month appointment a few days ago and my x-rays look good. I was given the OK to start jogging again, along with anything else I want to do.

I have been pain free and have not had any numbness in my arm since the surgery. Yesterday I started jogging again. I did a slow, short jog with a friend. Afterward, he said, “Did you realize this is your first time out since last summer and you could go farther than you did last year?”. I realized YES! Truth! This is after no exercising for the last 6 months! A few stretches here and there, slow walking (no power walks). I am simply amazed by Dr. Deal’s work. He knew exactly what needed to be done to get me back to my previous state. I can bike with the kids and not have to stop due to numbness in my arm or pain. Our family is so grateful. Anyone living with chronic pain knows that it is a struggle to just get out of bed some days. When pain is inside the body but not noticeable to the outside world, life can be a struggle. People (even those closest to you) do not and cannot possibly understand. I am happy to say I do not have chronic pain anymore! I am still amazed at how I feel only 6 months after the surgery. My scar is hardly noticeable. I have more energy. Overall, I feel like a new person. Thank you Dr. Deal!

Although breaking my elbow and needing elbow surgery is not an experience I would ever want to repeat, I consider myself very fortunate to have had Dr. Edward Kelly of Twin Cities Orthopedics as my elbow surgeon. 

As his patient I would describe him as a superb professional in so far as he was painstakingly thorough and detailed at every stage of my healing and recovery. As a result of his excellence as a surgeon, I now have complete healing, mobility, and range of motion in my arm. I believe there can be no higher compliment to a surgeon than a patient completely healed and restored. I would give Dr. Edward Kelly the highest possible rating as a surgeon along with my sincerest gratitude.

Dr. Randall Lewis is great person and terrific surgeon. He listens carefully, answers all your questions, and then delivers the exact surgical results he promises. We have 4 new knee replacements between my wife and myself over approximately 2 years. He restored our ability to walk again without any pain and in reality gave us back our quality of life, as well as a healthy body, positive mind-set, and the ability to participate in all activities we enjoy. He is compassionate, caring, confident in his abilities, and has a fun personality and sense of humor. We recommend him very highly. His PA Libby is also outstanding helping in surgery, recovery, with medication direction , and other post-surgical answers and direction. Her follow-up is flawless with a caring and fun personality and a finely-honed skill set. The two together are a winning combination at the top of their game. Calling them to help you would be one of the best calls you make this year.

Dr. Lewis and Libby Witchger replaced one of my knees in 2008 and the other in 2015. Dr. Lewis is extremely adept at what he does. He is accurate, skilled, caring, and compassionate. He is a patient’s partner in the process of identifying the problem and solving the problem. Both of my surgeries were very successful and I am pain free! Libby and Dr. Lewis are a great team. Libby always returns calls and stays with the patient through the entire recovery process. I highly recommend both of them!

I had left hip replacement surgery on March 8, 2016, performed by Dr. Thomas Comfort. Prior to my hip surgery I could barely walk. Dr. Comfort assured me prior to the surgery there would be instant improvement. I had my surgery performed at the High Point Surgery Center in Lake Elmo and participated in the EXCEL Program. I cannot say enough good things about the positive experience I had at High Point with the surgery and all the staff; I received “excellent” treatment and care. I want to thank Molly, Dr. Comfort’s assistant, for her assistance and her promptness in replying back to me with questions and the rest of the staff members at Twin Cities Orthopedics.

I was sent home the day after my hip surgery with a walker and I’m happy to say I never had to use it once – I was walking on my own! I recovered very well from my surgery and have resumed all activities. Down the road if I need to have my right hip replaced I will definitely consider going through the Excel program again at the High Point Surgery Center.

Thank you Dr. Comfort and all the staff members at Twin Cities Orthopedics and High Point for the excellent care.

On April 28 I was operated on for a herniated disk by Dr. Deal. I was in severe pain and any movement would bring tears to my eyes and was making life unbearable. Thanks to Dr. Deal, after a few hours under his care I was able to walk and started on the road back to a normal life. I would highly recommend Dr. Deal if you want relief from back pain. Thanks again Dr. Deal.

I am writing to express my appreciation for the outstanding care I received from Dr. Randall Lewis, Orthopedic Surgeon and my entire TCO care team including Libby Witchger, PA. For several years I suffered with serious knee issues from sports injuries and arthritis. Initially Dr. Lewis cared for me using non-surgical options.  Ultimately I decided the optimal option was to replace both knees and Dr. Lewis performed the surgeries. Throughout my care experience both Dr. Lewis and Libby impressed me with the personal and genuine care I received. I always received all the information I needed to make informed and clinically sound care decisions based on all options. My surgeries went so well I am now back to walking the golf course, road biking and hiking the national parks. I simply could not recommend a physician and care team more highly.

After putting up with annoying hip pain for a number of years (with the help of three cortisone injections) I finally did the right thing. I witnessed two good friends make remarkable recoveries after having Direct Anterior Hip replacements performed by Dr. Owen O’Neill. With their encouragement and glowing recommendation of Dr. O’Neill, I had an initial visit in early December, 2015. I am no spring chicken (62) but am physically active. I shared my hope to get through March (ski season) have my hip replaced in early April and be on the golf course by the first of June. Dr. O’Neill’s response: “Good plan-we can do that” so, with one final cortisone shot, I was off to ski in Big Sky, Montana! Unfortunately, I decided to play hockey on a couple of weekends in February which prevented me from ANY activity in March. The date of my surgery couldn’t come soon enough. April 6, 2016- NEW HIP! One night in the hospital, walking with no assistance on day 3, no pain medication by day 7. First round of golf six weeks after surgery, back to walking over thirty miles each week. I look forward to next ski season. Thank you Dr. O’Neill, Jessica, and Alyssa for your care and medical gifts. Truly unbelievable!