Patient Testimonials

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.

In the fall of 2017, I was tackled hard in a high school soccer game. Little did I know what I was in for when I heard I tore my ACL. Tearing your ACL is probably the worst possible news any female soccer player could receive. I knew that I was going to have to fight hard to get back to where I was and that I had a lot of work to do. Luckily for me, I was already working with such great strength trainers, Scott Schriever and Kirk Olson. Kirk called me shortly after we told him the news and he allowed me one day to cry but then he said to me, “it is grind time from here on out”.

The day of my surgery, I was stressing because I had never gone under or even had surgery before. Kirk called me while we were in the parking lot of TCO to reassure me that everything would be okay and that I was in great hands. Scott and Kirk then introduced me to my phenomenal physical therapist, Mike Shirilla, who helped me make my great comeback. When I arrived for my first PT session a few days after surgery, Mike, Scott, and Kirk were all waiting for me at the front door. From that day forward I knew I would have my own personal team and that I would be okay. Mike not only helped me physically but mentally as well which is a huge turning point for this process. Every week he would provide me a new video or podcast to listen to from elite women soccer players, as well as having me follow an ACL club on twitter to inspire me. He made me become a better version of myself.

My surgeon, Dr. Wulf, also helped me feel tremendously better and confident that my recovery would make me stronger. Every visit with him made me feel better about my progress. I worked for 9 long hard months with almost no days off. I had to give up a lot to reach my goal. At the time, it was very hard but I persevered through it and now I’m a lot stronger because of it. I was strength training 3 times a week and doing physical therapy 2 times a week, as well as the athletic competition enhancement (ACE) program through TCO. Tonia and Nate, who ran the ACE program, provided me with a customized return to play routine to get me to my highest potential. During this long, hard process, my TCO team became my family for 9 months and counting.

A key to staying strong is my strength trainer, Scott Schriever. He pushes me every day to keep working harder and improving myself. Having a trainer like Scott, who dedicates a lot of his time to his athletes, is very motivating. A bonus to my recovery was the new biomechanical lab at the Training Haus. I was lucky enough to be one of the first to be tested in this lab. Michael Kiely, who ran the lab, helped me realize what specific things I needed to work on to prevent re-injury and to stay strong.

I was then fortunate enough to be cleared by July of 2018 and had the opportunity to play my first soccer games back from my injury in Iceland and Sweden. It was my goal to play before I got back into high school soccer and, thankfully, we made that happen. My club, Minnesota Thunder Academy, played in the Gothia Cup in Sweden which is compared to as being the Youth World Cup. We got to play against some of the best teams in Sweden and other countries — and all thanks to my wonderful team at TCO I had the trip of a lifetime. Exactly one year after my surgery, October 16th 2018, I scored the winning goal, which was a header goal in double over time of the section final for my high school soccer team (Minnetonka High School) to punch our ticket into the state tournament. That was the best feeling in the world especially since it was exactly one year post surgery. It just reminded me of how far I’ve come both mentally and physically and how I’ve grown from my injury. Once we got into the state tournament, our first game was at Prior Lake High School, the field where I tore my ACL. That was a big day for me mentally and physically, in addition to the fact that I was about to play a game on the field that ended my sophomore season. I turned that awful memory into a happy one because we ended up winning and were guaranteed two games at the U. S. Bank Stadium for the first time. We then went on and won the Minnesota State High School Class AA Championship. I want to give all my thanks to TCO and the Training Haus for the amazing care team I had that made them my TCO Champions. Without any of them I would not be where I am today and would not be able to share my story.

Here is the link I’ve included to my header goal that advanced us to the state tournament: HERE