Patient Testimonials

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Dr. Bircher and his team. I had a total knee replacement in January 2026 and was feeling understandably nervous beforehand. Dr. Bircher immediately put me at ease with his kindness, confidence, and exceptional skill. His caring demeanor made such a difference, and the prayer he offered before surgery was something I truly appreciated. It brought me comfort and peace right when I needed it most

My care after surgery was just as impressive. The staff at EXCEL were exceptional! They were kind, attentive, and encouraging throughout my recovery. The team at Twin Cities Orthopedics were also wonderful and made every step of the process smooth and reassuring. I would highly recommend getting the Berg ice/compression machine as it was incredibly helpful during recovery and made a big difference in managing discomfort.

I also want to mention Jamie in Dr. Bircher’s office, who was amazing to work with. She was always helpful, answered my questions promptly, and went above and beyond with paperwork, especially navigating the new Minnesota paid leave process. I highly recommend Dr. Bircher to anyone considering knee replacement surgery. The level of compassion, professionalism, and support I received from Dr. Bircher and his entire team was outstanding!

The day of my surgery, I was all worked up. But then nurse Ashlynn was assigned to me. She was absolutely amazing—she stayed by my side, kept me calm, and answered all my questions. When I woke up in the recovery room after my procedure, I opened my eyes and there she was.

Now I’m on week seven of recovery, and things are going really well. I’m walking and am not in the kind of pain I once was. After my procedure, my surgeon, Dr. Kruse, told me he’s done over 6,000 knee surgeries, and that if 100 is the worst he’s seen, my knee was a 99. I think a big part of why I’m doing so well now after such a severe case is the thoughtfulness and attention my care team, especially Ashlynn, gave me.

Dr. Bircher has tremendous skill with robotic surgery. I had my right knee replaced seven years ago and my left knee in January 2026. I can’t believe how different the healing time has been! He is patient, kind, understanding, and encouraging. He offered a prayer before my surgery which helped put me at ease. I had physical therapy before and after my surgery which was very importance. Renting an ice machine for three weeks made a big difference in my recovery. I highly recommend Dr. Bircher and have already referred him to many of my friends.

Dr. Christopher LaPrade is the best orthopedic surgeon! He is kind, caring, and patient. I will have him do my knee surgery when it is time. I highly recommend him to all my family and friends.

I want to thank Dr. Bjerke and his team for being amazing partners on my knee journey. Having an active role in my healthcare is important to me and Dr. Bjerke respected that the entire time he spent listening, explaining, and patiently answering my questions before and after surgery. I have been pleasantly surprised by how low my level of pain has been and how quickly I was able to get moving. That is attributed largely to the skill of Dr. Bjerke as a surgeon. I would highly recommend him to anyone in need of orthopedic case.

I was a patient of Dr. Knowlan during my knee replacement surgery. Dr. Knowlan did an incredible job. I must also mention, my nurses Angela B, Brenna P, Delaney, and Emily. They went way out of their way to accommodate my disability, macular degeneration. I will never forget their kindness and caring nature. They made the knee surgery a pleasant experience. Also, both physical therapists were wonderful as well. Thank you!

I am a huge fan of Dr. James Bircher. I had a total knee replacement on January 14, 2026. Pain aside, which is part of the deal, he set me up for a great recovery. The ROMTech cycle and NICE machine helped, and of course the physical therapy sessions. However, it is Dr. Bircher who made the difference with his brilliance, skill, and altogether lovely demeanor. He even called me once during pre-surgery to explain something which isn’t always typical for a doctor to do. He is exceptional!

I am now eleven weeks out from surgery and my ability to bend my knee is great. My straightening still needs a bit of work. Dr. Bircher has advised me to keep at the PT for continued results, even though he is quite happy with my present status. I ditched the walker after a week and the cane a week later. I was back to using a recumbent bicycle only a few weeks out of surgery. I could not recommend a doctor more highly. I will be booking Dr. Bircher for my other leg, whenever that will be!

Dr. Mittelsteadt and his team are amazing! He replaced both of my knees and preformed two trigger finger surgeries for me. With my last knee surgery, I was surprised at how fast I recovered from the procedure. It’s a tough recovery, but within two months I was back to doing most of the things I did before surgery. The entire team including Annie Drabot, the anesthesiologist, and nurses are extremely knowledgeable and took the time to listen to me. I received the best care and would highly recommend Dr. Mittelsteadt.

I broke the plastic piece of a 16-year-old total knee replacement. After doing some research, I went to see Dr. James Bircher who was local and available. We hit it off immediately and it didn’t take him long to diagnose my problem. I went into the surgery very confident that all would go well. The entire procedure and recovery exceeded my expectations. A big thank you to Dr. Bircher. I’m so glad we crossed paths!

During my freshman year golf season, I dislocated my left knee while swinging on the range. Once healed, I experienced major knee discomfort and constant pain. I made the decision to get knee surgery in November 2025 during my junior year. I am now 20-weeks post-operation and having the procedure done was one of the best decisions I have made! Dr. Schmiesing and the physical therapists at TCO have been nothing shy of amazing.