Patient Testimonials

Hi, I’m 58 and have had 2 full replacements and one redo. I had my first knee replaced in 2006 at 45.  Doctors always said the my constant knee pain was because I was so obese. I had laparoscopic surgery done first. Didn’t work. I had injections, and pain patches, I couldn’t walk stairs or get off the couch without help. My knee was damaged. I went to an orthopedic surgeon who said I needed replacement. It was the most unbearable pain I had ever felt. The physical therapy after was excruciating and lasted 6 months, 2 times a week.  I cried every day at therapy and it got so bad, I eventually quit going. Needless to say I never got full range of motion in that knee. I was no longer able to walk up stairs, ride a bike, or walk correctly. I lived with it for 10 years. I never thought I was going to have to go through that again. Well ten years later, my other knee began to have the same pain. I had asked a friend to recommend a new doctor for me to see and her recommendation was Dr. Comfort. After my first meeting with him, I was hooked. He took his time speaking with me, explaining what we could do and offered some things to try before I did the surgery. Things worked for a few years and then it came time to have my other knee replaced. I followed what he suggested as far as getting the knee strong before the surgery. The surgery went well, no problems. I knew as soon as I woke up that the pain was gone. I was able to have a physical therapist come to my home to help me do my exercises. I was happy to know that I could use different things I had at home to get in my workouts. Physical therapy was painless and only lasted a few weeks. I was able to regain full range of motion, again with no pain. With the exception of bad knee from my first surgery, I was able to walk up stairs normally. About 6 months later, I talked to Dr. Comfort about re-doing my first knee. He said it was going to be a harder and more complicated surgery because of how that knee was currently. I was afraid that if he couldn’t fix it, it would cause me more pain and problems. He said that since he hadn’t done the first surgery on that knee, he wouldn’t know exactly what was going on in my knee or how the surgery would be performed. I trusted him so much that I said, let’s go for it. It was a long surgery and my incision was 13 inches, as compared to a normal incision at 6 inches. He had to open in up all the way in order to remove the old knee, cut off some bone, and attach a new knee. It was sore for a few days, but again, a therapist came to my house to work with me. Over the few weeks that I worked with her, she was able to get me back to full range of motion, I could bend it to about 155. Eventually it stopped hurting and I was able to get up from a couch again without any help. Now, I can walk up the stairs with no problems and am able to bike and pedal all the way around.

Please, if you’re having pain, at least to meet with Dr. Comfort. He has a very gentle bedside manner, his staff is wonderful, kind, and caring and they are there for you throughout the complete process.

He has changed my life not once, but twice and he will always be my doctor for orthopedic work

Thank you Dr. Comfort and all of you that work with him.

In August 2016, I was having surgery on my ankle at Maple Grove Hospital.  While talking to the nurses, I mentioned that I needed to have knee replacement surgery but wasn’t sure what doctor to go to. They encouraged me to not wait to have knee replacement surgery because having it right away would improve my quality of life. The nurses highly recommended Dr. Brian O’Neill.  After healing from my ankle surgery, I made an appointment to see Dr. O’Neill.  I liked his approach and knew that when the time came that I would have him replace my knees. I had a total right knee replacement on in July, 2017.  I was fortunate to be part of the Excel program.  The nurses and staff at the hospital and Excel program were fantastic, I couldn’t have asked for better care.  I’m happy to report that after 8 weeks, I have returned to my normal routine.  My recovery from knee replacement surgery has far exceeded my expectations, my pain was well managed and I had great range of motion from the very beginning.  I am grateful to Dr. O’Neill and his team.  I still have my left knee to replace and plan to return to Dr. O’Neill when that time comes.

Just a quick note to thank Dr. Kirksson for his outstanding work diagnosing my shoulder injury.  After rounds of MRI’s and other testing my diagnosis was alluding other Doctors. Dr. Kirksson was able to diagnose the issue ten minutes into my visit.  I am grateful that his superior diagnostic skills put me on the path to successful treatment and recovery.

I wanted to commend your providers and their excellent staff at your Elk River location. Michael Mastous and Dr. O’Keefe treated my son Liam after a break to both bones in his arm just below the wrist. Liam is a freshman at Elk River High School, and during practice, he suffered a break during a rebounding drill that we all thought would require surgery. It was about 4:00 pm when the break occurred, and I thought your Elk River location accepted walk-ins. When I arrived, the staff politely explained that this was not a walk-in clinic, but they would ask Mike if he would see Liam anyway. Fortunately, Mike and the staff agreed, knowing treating Liam would require them to stay at the office late. After the confirmation via x-ray that both bones were broken, Mike explained that surgery was 50-50 proposition, and regardless, manipulation would be required to splint the arm. Mike diligently proceeded with his staff to manipulate and mobilize the arm via splint. They all assured Liam (who was feeling more depressed than the pain in his arm) that whether surgery, or, if by chance the manipulation lined the bones up properly and surgery could be avoided, that his arm would be fixed. Upon one-week follow-up with Dr. O’Keefe, he showed us and explained that the manipulation lined up the bones perfectly, but, he didn’t want to remove the splint until more healing took place. Dr. O’Keefe was fairly confident that surgery could be avoided.

Surgery was avoided, and at this point in time, the cast is off and Liam is starting to dribble with his left hand. For a kid that practices no less than 2 hours a day, and loves basketball, the care your team provided was not only exemplary, it assured a young man that this was just a small bump in the road. Please extend my sincere gratitude to your fine staff at Elk River, and know that Twin Cities Orthopedics is my only recommendation for Elk River High School athletes who may suffer these types of injuries. Further, in my duties as a high school basketball, football and lacrosse official, I will communicate the fine care we personally experienced at TCO.

– Chris C (Liam’s Father)

Hi Dr Larson,

In Feb 2015 you reattached my torn hamstring.  Prior to my surgery, my fastest marathon time was a 4:20.  This past December, I ran my first marathon post surgery.  I came close to my PR, but not quite — I ran a 4:22 at the California International Marathon in Sacramento.  Yesterday, I ran my second marathon post surgery … I ran a 4:05:13 in Fargo, a 15 minute PR!  Next goal:  a 3:57 in the fall (that’ll get me into Boston!)

As you warned me before surgery, it’s been a long hard road back, but thanks to you and a few amazing Physical Therapists (Claudia Hornibrook at IAM – post surgery, and Lily Lind and Sara Conrad at  your Eden Prairie location more recently) — I am now even faster and stronger than I was pre-surgery.

I just wanted to say thank you for your amazing work in fixing my hamstring!

I have been a patient of Dr. Marek for a year now. He is a wonderful, kind and considerate doctor who listens to all of your issues and problems and works with you to figure out what he can do to help you feel better. Dr. Marek is also a very caring person and at my first appointment with him, he had a way that made you feel comfortable and at ease. He would explain everything so that you understood what your options were. My friends that have met him, also feel he is wonderful and cares about his patients.  They also liked how he included them as he explained what your treatment options were. I feel very fortunate to have found Dr. Marek and his care team of Ryan B., PA and Cathy R., Care Coordinator for my surgical needs and follow up care.

I think that Dr. Marek is an awesome doctor. I broke my hip last August. Dr. Marek did the surgery to repair it. I told him that my family was going to Disney World in Florida in December and we asked him if he thought that would be OK. Dr. Marek told us that he would prescribe us going on the trip. When we came back, I gave him a Goofy hat that I had bought for him.

If anyone asks to have Dr. Marek for their doctor, I think that they would feel the same way I do. Dr. Marek is a really kind and caring person. He will make a family and the patient feel really special just like he does for my mom and me.

I went in with a lot of pain in my right hip and knee, I was told i needed a new hip. I elected to have this procedure, it was the best thing I could have done. I came out of this surgery with no pain, more mobility and a new outlook on life. I can’t say  enough great things about Dr. Kruse and the staff. I have recommended TCO to many others. Thank you! Keep up the great work and the very special things you do.

Dear Dr. Ryan,

I was so grateful for all that you did for my mother, Carol, yesterday, that I felt compelled to write a note to thank you.

I just finished reading Atul Gawande’s book, Being Mortal, and I think the stories in that wonderful book heightened my awareness of how important doctors can be in improving and maintaining quality of life for us as we age or face significant illness. Doctors can also steer us wrong or fail to provide us wise counsel or understanding.

I so appreciated your approach with my mother. I saw you demonstrate gracious listening; empathy, compassion, and warmth; respect for her dignity and clear, practical, and thorough communication about her condition and potential alleviation of her symptoms.

Thanks, too, for going the extra mile to talk with Carmen S. right away and give us the notes of our visit.

Mom is feeling a little better so far, and we’ll hope that upward slope continues at full speed.

May you find continued success in your career of helping people maintain and improve their enjoyment of an active life.

I have had problems with my knees for 15+ years. I had a torn meniscus, acl, mcl and a lot of arthritis. Dr. Bocklage and Dr. Kraft have both done surgeries on me. I called to make an appointment with Dr. Kraft but he had retired. The nurse suggested Dr. Arntson. When I first met him he was very nice and helpful. He explained all the options to my husband and myself and answered all my questions. I decided on a knee replacement. I have heard many horror stories about the pain and it didn’t work and so on, but I felt very confident with Dr. Arntson and he reassured me that everything would be fine and I would be well taken care of. I felt very calm going into surgery and knew that he would do a great job.. He talked to my husband after surgery and said everything went well. From the time I was in recovery throughout my hospital stay (3days ) I had very little pain. The nurses at Mercy were very nice and were always there when I needed them. Dr Arnston came on the second day and removed the bandages. I was really shocked because it looked so good. Lots of swelling and pretty colors but the incision looked great. He did a great job.

Dr. Arntson and his staff have all be wonderful. He is an amazing surgeon, very kind and caring. I would recommend him to everyone 100% I would also like to mention the physical therapist at Mercy. Denise is great and my two outpatient therapists, Seth and Jared. They push me to do what I need to get better. I am doing great and with a little more time I’ll be walking and hiking the way I use to.