Patient Testimonials

From my initial meeting, through the surgery, and post op exam with Dr. O’Neill all resulted in a most positive experience! His “cheerful”, reassuring manner I believe intentionally contributes to the successful outcome for his patients

Some of the attributes of this least invasive, anterior method of surgery include the reduction of pain, eliminates further post op rehab treatment as well as lifting limitations or restrictions following surgery as well as two earlier replaced knee joints which give me a broader sense of comparison.

My endurance has significantly improved, my pain removed, my walking stamina increased and my quality of life is now allowing me to put entertaining and travel back on my calendar. We have a wonderful array of orthopedic surgeons in our area; I believe Dr. O’Neill to be a leader in that group!

Dr. O’Neill has done four joint replacements for me (two hips/two knees) since 2009 and this last one, the direct anterior approach on my left hip was a piece of cake for me to recover from! My first hip replacement in 2009 (the posterior approach) had a long and painful recovery which necessitated my taking many pain pills to be able to get around and, most importantly, be able to sleep. This time, there literally was no pain and I went home on the third day after surgery. I have a split-level home with many stairs and I had no difficulty in getting up and down. Used a walker for two days and a cane for another two and that was the end of that.

Dr. O’Neill and Jessie were wonderful, carefully explaining the surgery and what I needed to do to take care of myself afterwards. I have to admit that I didn’t quite believe Dr. O’Neill when he said that there would be minimal pain with this new type of surgery, but he didn’t lie! It is such a pleasure now to be able to do things and not have to calculate how much pain I can endure. My experiences with Dr. O’Neill and his team have been so favorable that I didn’t hesitate to recommend him to friends who needed joint work done too.

Prior to this knee replacement, I have had my other knee replaced and my left hip. Although I have no real complaints about my prior experience, this experience was like moving into the penthouse. From the time I stepped into the waiting room on the surgical floor at TCO, it always felt like personalized care. This includes preparation for surgery to recovery room and then transportation to the best of all: the care facility, which had a roomy private room with a nurse dedicated to me around the clock. One less day in the care facility than I spent in prior procedures in the hospital, and then home. Thanks to the able physical therapists who accurately judged my personal capabilities, my rehab was faster than on the prior knee replacement. I can’t wait for summer to start walking on the golf course again!

*Mick had a Knee Replacement performed by Dr. Owen O’Neill

Dr. O’Neill replaced both of my hips one month apart. He used the new direct anterior approach. The results were amazing! Little or no pain. I never needed a cane or a walker. I was driving a car in 2 days and mowing my yard in one week. Dr. O’Neill and his staff are top notch. They are kind and explain everything precisely. I HIGHLY recommend Dr. O’Neill to anyone needing orthopedic surgery. You will be extremely pleased with the results!

I’m a 79 year old woman whose knees had become so bad that I could only walk for short distances without pain. Dr. O’Neill replaced first one knee and the other three months later. Two months after the second surgery I am able to walk over a mile without pain. I’m able to walk stairs with confidence, stoop to garden and generally back to my previous life. Dr. O’Neill made a huge difference in my life and I would (and have) heartily recommend him as a surgeon.

Jonathan P. of Deephaven had a total hip replacement procedure performed by Scott Anseth, MD. “One day while driving my leg went numb,” he said. Upon calling Twin Cities (pictured left to right: Heidi Bolgren, PA-C, Dr. Anseth, Jonathan, Patty F.), Jonathan was scheduled for a next day appointment with Dr. Anseth and “he had me scheduled for surgery ten days later,” he said. “I feel great, better than I have in 15 years.”

“I was 43 years old and had been suffering from bilateral hip osteoarthritis for several years,” said Gerilyn W. of Stillwater (pictured on left). “I was having much difficulty with activities of daily living.” She decided to have both of her hips replaced over a six week period, by Scott Anseth, MD (pictured on right). “I not only gained new hips with no more chronic pain, I get my life back! Now, I can do anything and everything with no limitations,” she said.As a result of the surgeries and rehabilitation experience at the joint replacement, Gerilyn is now “paying it forward” to new patients by volunteering at the joint replacement surgery center where she had our surgery performed.

When Donna F. (pictured on right) injured her hand, the TCO Access Walk-In clinic at Twin Cities Orthopedics immediately came to mind. “I requested to be brought directly to the TCO Edina office to avoid long wait times in an emergency room,” she said. “Staff made sure I was comfortable while they coordinated care with the appropriate physician.”Donna ended up seeing orthopedic surgeon Stephen Olmsted, MD (pictured in middle), who discussed treatment options with her and her family. She proceeded with surgery to repair her broken fingers and said that “the care has been excellent.” She explains that in addition to having a high-quality surgeon her physical therapist, Cortney Bohnen, MA OTR/L has helped in her recovery. “I am regaining strength and movement in my fingers due to Cortney’s excellent hand therapy program,” she said.

Seven months after Chris D. (pictured) had his left leg amputated, he is walking without a limp. Not only that, but he’s waterskiing and bicycling with his new prosthetic leg. “I rode my touring bike 50 miles this weekend,” he said.With the help of J. Chris Coetzee, M.D. Mb ChB of Twin Cities Orthopedics Edina and a lot of hard work, Chris said he is feeling great and plans on continuing to increase his level of physical activity. Chris said:”I struggled through life with significant to severe pain in my left foot and ankle due to a traumatic accident in 1992. In December 2010 – more than 18 years later – I decided to amputate my leg below the knee. I have complete medical coverage through the VA as a disabled veteran, but I would have no other surgeon perform such a life changing procedure than Dr. Chris Coetzee.I have been a patient of Chris Coetzee for almost 10 years and through three surgeries to correct problems with my left foot and ankle (including the most recent amputation). I’ve rarely met a physician – with such a busy practice – that has been so personally interested and completely involved in getting to know me as a person, my lifestyle and personal goals, and even my family so as to integrate all of my personal character traits, abilities, support systems, and individual goals into my treatment plan. Long before my decision to amputate, Chris Coetzee and Twin Cities Orthopedics dramatically increased my quality of life and physical ability through his careful listening, preparation, surgical skill, and careful follow-up. When my foot and ankle had finally completely deteriorated, more surgeries seemed like just another way to buy short chunks of time. For a more permanent solution, I wanted to talk about amputation as an option. But I had no idea what to expect. I was terrified to think about amputation, but so challenged in daily life I didn’t know how to keep going.Chris Coetzee was more like my friend than my doctor as we talked about the procedure, options, and rehabilitation. He got deeply and personally involved in the decision, and included my wife in the conversations as he has gotten to know her through the years. Chris never hesitated to answer even the most direct questions – was honest and positive, yet realistic – and was completely confident on his ability to achieve a successful result. That quiet confidence and personal investment in me as a person made all the difference as I made the final decision and was finally wheeled into the surgical suite. Chris was never too busy to talk to me as the procedure loomed and my nervousness increased. He even corresponded with me through E-mail regularly before – and after – my procedure. Everything we spoke about from recovery estimates to quality of life has come true. I was ready to leave the hospital 24 hours after my amputation. Amazing! Although at a desk, I was back to work 10 days after my procedure, fitted for my first prosthetic in just under 3 months, and hiking, mountain biking around 6 months post procedure – and waterskiing just after 7 months!. My rehabilitation and prosthetics teams have always been amazed at the quality and health of my residual limb and the speed of recovery and engagement back into an active lifestyle. I’ve been “sitting on the bench” for most of the last 18 years. Thanks to Dr. Coetzee, I am back in the game.The most impressive comment I have to recommend Dr. Chris Coetzee and the Twin Cities Orthopedics team is this; most people don’t know I’m an amputee unless I’m wearing shorts, or I tell them. I’ve met dozens of people that react with complete surprise – and sometimes shock – when they realize I’m an amputee. The most common comments are ‘I would never have known you were an amputee by seeing you walk and move around.’ Or, ‘You walk and move around just like a normal person!’ Thanks to Chris Coetzee, I can (and do) reply,  ‘Thank you. I am a normal person.'”

“Dr. Hunt analyzed my previous scan and report, did a thorough physical evaluation and clearly explained my current injury,” said Gary A. (pictured on left) of Minneapolis. After recently suffering a shoulder injury, Gary scheduled an appointment with Allan Hunt, MD (pictured on right), of Twin Cities Orthopedics – Edina. “He took the time to listen carefully and responded in a friendly, caring and respectful way,” he said. “I also appreciated his sense of humor and down to earth manner. A great first encounter!”