Patient Testimonials

Tim Jackson has been a dairyman most of his life. As the years passed, his knees wore out. “Two years ago they were getting so bad that I could hardly navigate anymore,” said Tim. He began to get depressed because it was too painful to continue his work and enjoy an active lifestyle. Tim sought help from providers and had some treatment before finding Twin Cities Orthopedics (TCO). His treatment journey with TCO’s Dr. Thomas Comfort helped him find the solution he was looking for. “It was a positive experience from the beginning,” said Tim. “He painted a whole other picture for my life.”

Click here to watch Tim’s story

I had the new direct anterior hip replacement surgery on May 6,2014, home the next day. I didn’t even bother with a walker, and after 2 weeks I gave up the cane. It was an incredibly easy experience, and if it gets any easier it could be drive through surgery. I will definitely recommend Dr. O’Neill to some friends who are contemplating hip surgery. The entire staff is top notch, and I was kept completely informed on what to expect throughout the entire process.

Dr. Barry and his staff and group did a great job. I had total knee replacement on 12/10/13. On 12/12/13 I could stand on my right leg without being supported by anything. I could not walk for a week without a walker. I had PT 2 times a day for 5 days in the hospital.  After 3 weeks I was already driving.  Then by February I was playing handball and played in the MN State Handball Association Golden Masters Doubles Handball Tournament March 7-8, 2014. I had PT 2 times a week for 9 weeks. I also did water exercises for 6 weeks. I still have scar tissue in my right knee and still stretch every day. I continue to play hand ball four days a week. Many of my fellow handball players have told me knee and hip replacements work out great, our only regret was WE waited too long to have the procedure. P.S. I plan to play in the MN State Handball Association Handball singles Tournament April 25th at the U of M.

I was told about Dr. Christopher Meyer from a doctor friend of mine who knew of his reputation as an excellent surgeon. Dr. Meyer performed three surgeries on me within a 31 day period, so I feel I’m as good of a reference of his work as anyone could be. I had two total hip replacements and a left carpal tunnel and trigger finger surgery. I honestly think that the talent and expertise that he showed was as good as there is anywhere. I was walking two weeks to the day of my second hip surgery without any assistance of a walker or crutches; this was amazing and made me realize the fine job he had done. It would be wrong of me not to mention the fine supporting cast of assistants and facilities which were used. Ridgeview Hospital in Waconia, MN has a dedicated wing for joint surgeries, which allowed me to have my own room. The care I received from the staff of nurses and physical therapists was truly remarkable. I must also say that Dr. Christopher’s choice of his Physician Assistant Sommer Vaughan was an excellent decision, her knowledge of both office and operation procedure made my experience as smooth and successful as it could be. I truly believe that I could not have gotten better care anywhere and would recommend Dr. Christopher Meyer and his staff to anyone. Thank you so much to everyone who was involved, these surgeries gave me a chance to live my life normally again.Sincerely,Myron C.

I met Dr. O’Neill in 2008 when I was having such a difficult time with my knees. The lack of mobility and the pain made simple daily activities impossible. A total ‘knee replacement’ returned me to an active lifestyle. In 2010 I had ‘rotator cuff repair’, and in April of 2014 I had a ‘direct anterior hip replacement.’ The surgical skills of Dr. O’Neill and the aftercare of his team were outstanding. I can be more active now than I was 10 years ago. I would highly recommend him as an orthopedic surgeon.

I had total left knee replacement by Dr. O’Neill and his team on April 7, 2014. I just want to say how great Dr. O’Neill and his team were before and after surgery. I would highly recommend Dr. O’Neill and his team to anybody who needs orthopedic surgery.

Bruce N., who works for Eagle Valley Bank in St. Croix Falls, scheduled himself for rotator cuff surgery last August to repair a substantial ¾ inch tear. “I love to golf and hunt,” he explained, “so surgery had to be between seasons ––after golf and before deer hunting!” Bruce made a point to note that he did give up bird hunting to rehab his shoulder! He declined a post-surgery hospital stay and only had severe pain for a day or two. “Because I’d been through this surgery before, I knew what to expect,” he said. “I took Thursday and Friday off and planned to be at work on Monday, which I was.”

The first two-three weeks were the most difficult since Bruce is right-handed. “Friends told me to be prepared and they were right, but it was still a struggle. Try eating, shaving, brushing your teeth, and so on left-handed,” he said. “It was challenging! Overall, though, I had a great experience with the Medical Center, Dr. Steven Meisterling, and all who took care of me!”

Jerry, a financial consultant and diabetic living in St. Croix Falls, finally scheduled himself for a total shoulder replacement surgery this past December. “I’d had arthritis in my right shoulder for many years, but kept putting off surgery,” Wyatt explained. “I’d played golf regularly for many years, but eventually my shoulder began to hurt too much to play. Even worse, I wasn’t sleeping well any longer either. Eventually, my shoulder started to drop for no reason and I couldn’t even drink a cup of coffee without spilling!”

On the advice of Wyatt’s family doctor, SCRMC Internist Jim Wallace, Jerry finally made an appointment with Dr. Steven Meisterling. “Twin Cities Orthopedics and Dr. Meisterling have an excellent reputation for the surgery, and given my experience, they certainly deserve it!” “I was born in the Baker House and delivered by Dr. Jake Riegel long before this hospital existed,” Wyatt continued, “so to have a team of specialists like this available locally in this very modern hospital is simply wonderful! It was also a tremendous convenience for me and my family to be here at SCRMC for my care and surgery.”

Rob, a retired Lindstrom resident, had been living with level 8 or 9 (i.e. very bad) pain for two years because of degenerative arthritis in both shoulders. His right shoulder was most in need of repair because calcium build-up and bone loss had made the use of his right arm agonizing, and rehabilitation and medication failed to contain it. “Going into surgery, there was the possibility of a partial or a total replacement,” said Rob, “but due to bone loss, only a partial replacement was possible.”

After his hemi-arthroplasty surgery, Rob made note of the “excellent care” he received from his primary provider, Dr. Jamey Sotis, and from his surgeon,  Dr. Steven Meisterling. “I felt very comfortable in the OR, and appreciated all the explanation and detail on what would be happening,” he said. “I wouldn’t have chosen to go anywhere else.” He was hospitalized for just two days after surgery, followed by eight weeks of therapy and an arm sling. Robertson also commented that “my rehab at the Lindstrom Clinic was excellent and very personalized.” His pain continued to decrease as strength and use of his arm increased.

I am a business consultant for a computer software company and have the pleasure of traveling 40-45 weeks out of the year. The last 5 years, prior to my anterior hip replacement in December 2013, was extremely difficult; to the point that I had to have wheelchair assistance when I was at the airport. I could no longer walk to my gate to catch my plane. I could no longer bend over to tie my shoe laces. I had to walk with a cane and could only walk short distances because of the pain. I knew I had to do something to improve my quality of life.

Then in April of 2013, I received an announcement letter from Dr. O’Neill‘s office about the new minimal invasive anterior hip replacement surgery. I had never heard of this type of surgery even though I had been an Orthopedic and Operating Nurse for 8 years and my wife a nurse for 30 years. I knew I had to attend this presentation. After the presentation, I immediately setup an appointment to see Dr. O’Neill. He told me that I had severe osteoarthritis in both my hips and knees, but the right hip joint was the worse. My only concern was whether or not he would be willing to operate on a person of size. Sorry, I forgot to mention that I am 6 feet tall and weigh over 300 lbs. He told me it would be difficult but he was not going to turn me away and tell me to lose weight first.

We scheduled the surgery for the middle of December because I could use my vacation time, but I had to be back to work the first week of January to start traveling again for work. All the information I received was exceptional, not only from his office but also from the hospital I was to have my surgery.

Now, everyone as heard that nurses make the worse patients, and I was not the exception. I had had two previous major surgeries in 2013 and couldn’t wait to get out of those hospitals. They were not very pleasant stays. For my hip surgery, Dr. O’Neill suggested, St Francis Hospital in Shakopee, MN and I am glad I took his suggestion. My stay in the hospital was longer than normal, 3 days. The hospital was outstanding, great facility and hospital rooms (all private), wonderful people; from admissions, pre-op nurses and anesthetists to the physical therapists and occupational therapist, but it was the floor nurses and nursing assistants that really restored my faith in the nursing profession. They were outstanding!!! I am know where I will be for my next hip surgery in December of 2014.

The surgery went well, I was up walking with a walker the next day and a cane the day after. My wife and oldest daughter couldn’t believe their eyes. They hadn’t seen me walk that quickly and without pain for years. I was back traveling for work 3 weeks after surgery. I also got the same response from the people at work.

Yes, my quality of life has improved greatly and is getting better with each passing week.

Thanks, Dr. O’Neill, Jessie, Alyssa and the people at St. Francis Hospital.