Patient Testimonials

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!”

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.

Dean of Minneapolis (pictured on right) had surgery with Frank Norberg, MD (pictured on left) at Twin Cities Orthopedics Edina to repair his shoulder after suffering a torn rotator cuff after a fall. The surgery “went very well” and the pain was minimal, said Dean. He was also very pleased with his post-surgical results and the functionality of his arm. “The recovery was quick, after 3 months, it felt like new,” he said.

Judi had shoulder surgery with Frank Norberg, MD and was thrilled with her experience at Twin Cities Orthopedics (pictured left to right: Danielle Hare, PA-C, Dr. Norberg, Judi, Jen Lero, L-CMA, Gena Mirr, AT-C). She was impressed with the staff at TCO, who “went above and beyond” in helping her throughout the process. “Dr. Norberg and his staff have been absolutely fantastic. They are all very kind and caring,” she said. “I would recommend Dr. Norberg to anyone.”

Sally Ness had a 2 year history of back pain following a car accident. She was referred to Med-X Neck and Back Therapy at Twin Cities Orthopedics to help her “be her best, again.””The Med-X treatment relieved me of the persistent back pain I was experiencing. I had already completed two treatments of physical therapy that helped but did not eliminate the pain. I was fortunate enough to have a doctor refer me to Paul Biewen, MD who prescribed Med-X treatment.The Med-X treatment delivered by therapist Kari Cox, PT along with the series of stretching and strengthening exercises that Kari had me complete relieved me of my back pain. My son Dylan was also referred to Dr. Biewen and is now in Med-X treatment. The Med-X treatment has relieved him of pain and is teaching him how to maintain a healthy back by properly stretching various muscles, especially his hamstrings and strengthening various muscles, especially his lower back.”

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.