Patient Testimonials

On October 19, 2020, I had a total hip replacement by Dr. Owen O’Neill. I was nervous and worried about having surgery, especially during a pandemic. Dr. O’Neill relieved my anxiety as he explained the whole process and answered all of my questions. He also noted that I was a candidate for the EXCEL program, which was an awesome alternative to the hospital. His confidence and compassion made me realize that I was making the right decision.

On the morning of my surgery, Dr. O’Neill (with a BIG smile) came into my room to reassure me that everything was going to go smoothly. He is without a doubt a highly skilled surgeon! I am pain free and couldn’t be happier. I would HIGHLY recommend Dr. O’Neill and the entire TCO & EXCEL staff. They are absolutely AMAZING!! THANK YOU Dr. O’Neill.

I am passionate about teaching therapeutic horseback riding and showing my horses. During the 2019 show season, I had to have help getting on my horse because of the terrible hip pain. My performance was suffering and so was I. Dr Lewis replaced my left hip in January 2020. I couldn’t believe the relief! I was riding again by spring and showed all summer, even though my right hip was still a problem. In October, Dr. Lewis replaced my right hip. I have a matched set now. The recovery from the right hip was even easier and I was back to riding 6 weeks later. I can hardly wait for show season to start in the spring!

Dr. Lewis and his staff were wonderful. I felt like they were as vested in my recovery as I was. Every detail of this surgery went smoothly. All my questions were answered clearly and I was completely at ease with the process. These people are in a class by themselves!

I needed both hips replaced during this Covid-19 ordeal and a dear friend recommended Dr. O’Neill. I made the virtual appointment, talked to him and got on that list to have surgery when the hospitals allowed surgery. I had my first hip replacement in June and it was perfect. I had the other done in September with the same results! Dr. O’Neill was very reassuring that I would get back to my old self again and I have! The whole team was excellent! Prep for the surgery was very important and I did my best to get my body ready. I would highly recommend Dr. O’Neill to anyone for hip surgery!

Dr. Simonet did my hip replacement five weeks ago and it couldn’t have gone any better. He has a great bedside manner, he answered all of my questions thoroughly prior to surgery, and everything went as I expected. His entire staff is great! They were very professional, especially his assistant Jane. Another thing to note is when you go back for a follow-up appointment, you are called in on-time and are not expected to wait. All in all, I would totally recommend Dr. Simonet!

Dr. Szalapski replaced both of my hips. The first hip was 4 years ago and the other was in November 2019. Both times I could not have been more satisfied. My friends were amazed at how fast I was recuperating. I never used a walker and I only used a cane for one day. I recommend Dr. Szalapski whenever I can.

Thank you, Doctor!

Dr. Meisterling and his assistant Kayla, have been an extended part of my family for the past 10 years. I have degenerative joint disease which has led me to have both knees, one shoulder, two thumbs and, most recently, a hip replaced. Dr. Meisterling and Kayla have walked through them all with me. My recent hip replacement was particularly challenging. Different components of the hardware failed, resulting in two revisions within 3 months of having the initial hip replacement. Dr. Meisterling and Kayla were available, supportive and most importantly, my advocates as we had to schedule each of these procedures. I felt so cared for during the whole ordeal. I am so grateful for this team.

After 3 years of worsening hip pain, I finally decided to visit TCO. I saw Dr. Sanders and he was very helpful. He explained my condition to me and what I could expect for the future. It took me awhile to finally accept that I needed surgery and, after a COVID delay, my left hip was replaced in June 2020. Dr. Sanders did a great job, not only with the surgery, but helping me understand the process. I was walking hours after surgery and my pain was gone! I used a walker for about 8 days and then walked on my own. Within 3 weeks I was walking for 30 minutes every day and worked my way up to 1 hour (3 miles) by 2 months post op. I am so pleased with my recovery! I highly recommend Dr. Sanders and also encourage everyone to follow his directions and do the exercises!

Dr. Szalapski was brought to my attention by my regular physician. After an unfortunate encounter with an icy freeway in January 2020, I found myself in the ditch at 4:50am, on my way to work. My car was messed up, but I figured out later that my body was also. It started off as a nagging pain in my right hip after I hit black ice, drove into the ditch, and hit my hip on the center console at freeway speed. I had a clinic visit a few days later and after that, tried a cortisone shot, all to no avail. I continued working through the pain, which progressively got worse. Then came the Covid-19 lockdown. Clinics were closed for months for general visits. The pain got to the point where I could barely walk, let alone function at work.

Finally, I was able to see my regular doctor who referred me to Dr. Szalapski at Twin Cities Orthopedics. I was familiar with TCO, as I had a very successful right rotator cuff repair on my shoulder, which has held up GREAT since 2011 (thank you Dr. David Anderson). Now I’ve had a total right hip replacement done by Dr. Szalapski, and so far, I have to say, the quality of his surgical expertise, is remarkable! His bedside manner is impeccable, and he has a great sense of humor on top of it. I couldn’t be happier! Thank you Dr. Szalapski!

I was about 31 when I began having hip issues. Eventually I was referred to Dr. Anseth for full hip replacement. After having twins, then losing 100lbs, the ‘fat’ was what was practically holding my hips together. I was born with hip dysplasia so they basically were not working anymore, surprising they ever did. I was experiencing excruciating bone on bone and arthritis pain. I was 33 or so by the time surgery came around and could barely walk and keep up with my 3 year old twin girls. Both hips on scans did not look good, so I had one hip replacement done. Then about 2 years later, the other hip started doing same as first one.

Dr. Anseth was AMAZING. I have seen where a lot of surgeons have no ‘bed side manner’ and he was what all patients hope for. He was kind, made a point of getting to know me… I actually was being wheeled in at Abbott to have surgery on a broken finger with a different doctor a couple years later and I saw him. As he was getting ready for another patient surgery and he stopped to say hello. Was so nice he remembered me. I am now 42 and have had several surgeries, and Dr. Anseth by far is the very best! Thanks Dr. Anseth.

I had hip replacement surgery through the EXCEL program in June 2020. I was terrified to have surgery, but in unbearable pain. My life had come to a halt due to limited mobility and pain, so replacement was my only option. Dr. Owen O’Neill offered me reassurance that he “would get me through this” and he did exactly that! The pain following surgery is so much less than the pain before. Every staff I had contact with was professional, kind and compassionate, which put me at ease. Their knowledge and skill was notable. I had PT through TCO after surgery and again, with excellent staff, and I made good progress. Before surgery I did not even get 500 steps a day on my Fitbit, but now I easily get 10-12,000, without using a cane! I can put on my socks and shoes without pain. I can get into my car without intense pain. Sitting, standing, walking and sleeping are all pain-free now. I am eternally grateful to Dr. O’Neill and all the staff at TCO in their clinic and EXCEL program. As a nurse, and as a patient, I would highly recommend Dr. O’Neill and the TCO EXCEL program. I feel like I have my life back again, and this is huge!