Patient Testimonials

David Gesensway, MD treated Thomas for Dupuytren’s contracture, which was affecting the middle finger on his right hand. “I am very pleased with my total experience from my date of surgery to my completion of physical therapy,” said Thomas. “Dr. Gesensway is a real professional,” he said.

While skating in Central Park in New York, Rochelle H. (pictured on left) had a bad fall, which resulted in an injury to her right wrist. Upon visiting the emergency room, she learned that not only was the joint in her wrist displaced, but that she had also fractured two bones. Her primary care physician recommended that she see hand and wrist surgeon, Laurie Koch, MD. After surgery, Rochelle had numerous office visit and physical therapy sessions. “TCO felt like a second home,” she said. “From the greeting upon entering the clinic and throughout the many appointments, the entire staff at TCO [was] friendly, helpful, accommodating and professional.”During much of her recovery time, Rochelle worked with Bonnie Glenzinski, OTR/L, CHT (pictured on right), an Occupational Therapist and certified hand therapist. She is “caring and sympathetic, yet firm and steadfast in getting her patients to work towards improvement,” said Rochelle. As she slowly began to regain movement in her hand and wrist, Rochelle’s confidence in her recovery plan continued to grow. “I always walked out of those appointments with more mobility and renewed hope it would get better,” she said.”I sometimes find myself looking at my right hand and I am amazed at how far I have come. I could not have done it without the constant support, encouragement and reassurance I received from Bonnie. I am finally at the point where I think I may go ice skating again,” she said. “Next time, however, I will wear braces – on both wrists!”

“I have had a most positive experience with Twin Cities Orthopedics. From walking into the very warm looking facility to the very professional staff people, I feel I am in great hands,” said Bill F., a patient of David Anderson, MD. Dr. Anderson “takes the time to both listen and articulate in a way that shows he really cares,” he said.The atmosphere at TCO Edina is very relaxed and professional, providing “the best environment for healing,” he said. As a 29 year survivor of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Bill explains that he has seen many doctors but has “never received such professional care” as what he has experienced at Twin Cities Orthopedics.

Recently, Twin Cities television stations have been airing a series of four 15-second commercials designed to increase awareness of the health care services provided by Twin Cities Orthopedics (TCO). In January, when Nika, a junior at Edina High School, participated in filming one of the spots, she had no way of knowing she would soon need the services of a TCO physician. Nika was chosen for the hockey-themed commercial shoot at Burnsville Ice Arena partly because she has played the game since age six, and also because of her two previous experiences as a TCO patient. At age 12, she broke her wrist in a New Year’s hockey tournament and was treated at Twin Cities Orthopedics – Edina clinic (one of her youth hockey coaches was Scott McGarvey, MD, a TCO physician). Four days later she was back on the ice. Last year, Nika was treated at the Edina clinic for a somewhat more problematic injury. In the process of taking a slap shot, she strained ligaments in her right thumb and index finger. Nika was fitted for a brace, and after several weeks of reparative physical therapy, she was cleared to return to the ice in the U-19 Girls state hockey tourney. Nika’s most recent injury was not hockey-related. A few weeks before shooting the TCO commercial, she was rehearsing for a high school presentation of the drama “Bang, Bang You’re Dead.” Nika spent eight hours rehearsing while wearing a pair of four-inch heels, which caused a painful, sprained Achilles tendon and big-toe ligament. After treatment at the Twin Cities Orthopedics’ Edina After Hours Acute Injury Walk-in Clinic, she wore a supportive boot for a week, and then performed in the weekend production. Nika didn’t do any speaking in the 15-second commercial, in which she skates toward the camera. But she would be a natural for a testimonial. “I’ve always felt in good hands at Twin Cities Orthopedics; it’s a really welcoming place,” says Nika. With her injuries behind her, Nika isn’t playing hockey this year, preferring to focus on her studies, and theater, at Edina High School. Her future plans include hopes for a lacrosse scholarship at one of the colleges where lacrosse is offered on an intercollegiate level, possibly on the East coast. Wherever her future takes her, she also hopes to remain injury-free.

Most people are aware that physical therapists play crucial roles in helping patients recover following injuries or orthopedic surgery. But therapists also work with patients to help them get into better shape before surgery, to shorten the post-surgical recovery time and expedite healing. Eighty-two year old Ann B., of Savage, is a good example. For several years, Ann had been plagued by steadily worsening pain in her right knee (four years earlier, she had undergone arthroscopic surgery to repair her left knee). “The pain had become terrible. I couldn’t walk through the living room without having to brace myself on furniture. I put off the surgery for two years, until I couldn’t bear it any longer.”After consulting with her orthopedic surgeon, Randy Lewis, MD, of Twin Cities Orthopedics, Ann decided to undergo knee replacement surgery, and an Oct. 1, 2010 date was set for the surgery. Dr. Lewis told his patient to expect a recovery period of about six months.In the packet of pre-op information the doctor gave her, Ann read about the importance of exercising prior to surgery, in order to enable a better, quicker recovery. She checked with Mark Froemke, PT, the director of physical therapy at Twin Cities Orthopedics’ Burnsville Clinic, who prescribed a daily exercise regimen she could do at home in the five weeks leading up to her operation.“In two visits prior to surgery we identified her limitations and gave her specific exercises,” Froemke explains. “She went home and did them consistently and that obviously made a difference.”Why are pre-surgical, prescribed exercises so important? “If you can go into surgery with a good range of motion and ability to straighten the knee, that makes rehab easier, quicker and less expensive. For example, if you go into surgery with a loss of 10 degrees in being able to straighten the knee,  having surgery doesn’t mean you will have good extension of the knee,” Froemke notes. “But if you do exercises to stretch the muscles around the knee, that will make it much easier.”Froemke’s examination of the knee indicated she lacked the ability to straighten the knee and also lacked strength in the quadriceps muscles, which support the knee. He suggested gentle, repetitive exercises to increase the knee’s flexibility – extending and bending the leg, and some mild resistance training using an exercise bike, with the amount of resistance appropriate for her physical condition and age.From his perspective, Ann proved to be an ideal patient, Froemke notes. “If you go into surgery with the attitude that you are going to do the exercises the therapist recommends and are consistently motivated – as Ann was – it makes a big difference in recovery.”“The therapists at the Transitional Care Unit (TCU) at the Masonic Home in Bloomington were also surprised at my recovery and I was released early from rehab to home”, Ann recalled. Post release from the TCU, she returned to the therapy clinic at TCO in Burnsville for three more exercise sessions to stretch muscles and improve her flexibility. She walked with a cane for about a week, and then was able to walk unaided, enjoying her annual vacation in Florida with enthusiasm. “I’m better than I thought I could be!”

Marissa of Maple Grove has had a pair of surgeries on her left wrist with Dr. Fischer. She and her family have had very good experiences with Twin Cities Orthopedics Maple Grove, highlighted by Dr. Fischer and the physical therapy staff.  “I’ve had physical therapy with Lisa and Shelly I enjoy Dr. Fischer and Rebecca.”

Maureen S., from Orono (pictured on left), has had numerous surgeries with Edward Szalapski, MD (pictured on right) of Twin Cities Orthopedics, including two total knee replacements, rotator cuff surgery, and wrist surgery. “I feel completely confident and blessed with Dr. Szalapski,” she said. Maureen explains that thanks to the compassionate staff members and thorough follow-up, her time with Twin Cities Orthopedics has “been without a doubt, the best medical experience ever.”

Dale B. has been a patient of Joseph Teynor, MD for various orthopedic issues over the years, including his right arm and his knees. After suffering a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder, Dale opted to rehabilitate his shoulder through a physical therapy exercise program. He can now effectively use his shoulder again and is able to serve while playing tennis.Thanks to his positive initial experience with Twin Cities Orthopedics (pictured left to right: Michelle Carrywater, Care Coordinator, Dale, Dr Teynor, Troy Evenson, PA-C) Dale decided to come to Dr. Teynor for the constant pain that had surfaced in both of his knees. “I appreciated his frankness and honesty,” he said. He had his left knee replaced and says it is “working well but my right knee tells me it’s time to be fixed.” Dale plans to have Dr. Teynor perform the surgery within the year.

Mary Jo D. (pictured on right) of Bloomington recently had a total hip replacement performed by Scott Anseth, MD (pictured on left). “I never felt I was being rushed in and out” of my appointment said Mary Jo. “Dr. Anseth addressed all of my concerns and made sure he answered all of my questions,” she said. He “has strong communication skills” and great bedside manner.

Bill S. (pictured on left), of Bloomington, had a total hip replacement done by Loren Vorlicky, MD (pictured on right) and was thrilled with the caring nature of the physician and staff at Twin Cities Orthopedics. “Everyone, and I mean everyone, has been so kind, encouraging and helpful,” he said.