Patient Testimonials

I am 48 years old and Dr. Comfort did a total hip replacement on my right hip on October 17th, 2017. I was admitted into the EXCEL Program that is offered through TCO and would recommend this option to anyone who qualifies for it. Dr. Comfort is a top-notch surgeon and does a great job. I am currently 4 weeks post-op and cannot say enough about the success of my surgery and recovery. The surgery was performed at High Pointe Surgery Center in Lake Elmo where everyone from the admission person to the nurses and staff were extremely attentive and helpful. I then spent one night at White Bear Heights for recovery and again the entire process was pleasant. I left the facility being able to walk up and down the halls using a walker, climbed a flight of stairs with a cane, and even walked a short distance with no aide at all. 5 days after my surgery I was only using a cane to get around, and by my 2 week post-op appointment with Dr. Comfort I was walking with little to no assistance and driving! I was back to work 2 weeks after my surgery much to the amazement of my co-workers, family, friends, and most of all me! I have to remind myself that it has only been 4 weeks and that I still need to take it easy as I feel so great. I cannot thank Dr. Comfort and his wonderful staff at TCO, High Pointe, and White Bear Heights enough for such an amazing experience. I would not hesitate to refer Dr. Comfort to anyone (and I actually have) and will not hesitate to return to him if the need arises in the future.

Thank you for giving me a pain-free life again!!!!

Dr. Hunt, this may seem too corny to endure, but I’ll risk it.  I find myself struggling to express the depth of my gratitude to you and the team of caring professionals you have gathered around you for the fifteen years or more you have added to my life. When I decided to go to you to replace my knees late in 2008, I was seriously facing the loss of most of my outdoor activities. In January, 2009, you and your team replaced both of my knees, and in two surgeries during 2011 you also replaced both of my shoulders. Now you have given me a new right hip.  Because of your work, I have continued to backpack with three generations of family members for days on end on Isle Royale every fall (sometimes twice in a season). Early last spring I backpacked about forty miles of the Superior Hiking trail with a friend. Libby and I have been able to tour the Peruvian Amazon and the Peruvian sacred valley, and then spend a week on the Galápagos Islands. As a pastor I made multiple trips to partner congregations in El Salvador and in Nigeria. Twice I’ve made it to Alaska, most recently with Libby for a stay with friends in Halibut Cove on Kachemak Bay. Two years ago Libby and I toured Iceland, reunited with her relatives in Sweden and with my relatives and friends in Norway. And for the last three years I’ve led delegations to explore how migratory birds connect Minnesota and Nicaragua.  All this scattered among countless forays across Minnesota and Wisconsin to go birding in remote wild corners of our region.

I only hope this little album of memories gives you some sense of my gratitude to you for your work and for my privilege of having access to this health care (when so many across the world do not).

Blessings, Keith O.

I have been going to the BWCA (Boundary Waters Canoe Area) since 1964 when my father took me on my first trip to this magical, wonderful place. Since then I have made 25-30 trips back to the BWCA, recently with my sons and nephews. To say that it has a special place in my heart is a gross understatement. 2 years ago I came off the last portage in near tears, suffering from arthritic pain. Since then, Dr. Owen O’Neill, Dr. Ed Kelly and their expert staffs have replaced 2 shoulders, 2 hips and 1 knee. The attached photo was taken earlier this year and shows me and my team (including my youngest son and nephew) over-looking “our unnamed lake” in the BWCA. We traveled over 10 miles to get there, crossing 3 lakes, 4 portages and 3 rivers. My sincere thanks to Dr. Kelly, Dr. O’Neill and their expert staffs for giving me this important piece of my life back! I strongly recommend them both and encourage you to schedule a visit if you are in pain like I was!