Patient Testimonials

I received full knee replacement with Dr. Sanders and his PA, Matthew Bennett. 1.5 years later I can state with complete honesty that it was a total success. I am able to do the activities I love without pain. I would highly recommend the services I received with Dr. Sanders and Matthew. Follow-up appointments have been excellent and definitely give me a peace of mind that I haven’t had in years. Thanks!!!

Thank you, Dr. Lewis and Libby, for the excellent care! In the past year, I have had both knees replaced with great success. I am now 10 weeks post-op of the second replacement and I am already doing things physically that I haven’t been able to do in over 10 years. Dr. Lewis is kind, caring, honest, knowledgeable and competent. I greatly appreciated that he and Libby always took the time to answer my questions and provide me with options for my care. Dr. Lewis didn’t try to “persuade” me to have surgery but initially used more conservative practices to treat my knee issues. When the time came for me to proceed with replacement surgery, there was no doubt in my mind who I would trust to do the surgery. I can’t thank Dr. Lewis and Libby enough for providing such great care.

I am a two-time patient of Dr. O’Neill. The left knee was replaced 11 years ago and is working great! The right knee was done in October 2019 and is also working great! As my right knee became more painful, there was no question in my mind as to who I would trust with the surgery and care, even though this means a 4 hour round-trip commute, as I live in the Brainerd Lakes area now. Dr. O’Neill and his first class staff’s counseling had me well prepared (for a process that has changed quite a bit in 11 years) for what I realized would be a more manageable recovery. I knew that prep and dutiful follow-up therapy would have me back to a much more normal life, as the surgery itself would be done by the best guy in the business! As far as knee replacements, do not wait until pain and discomfort change your life (for me, I can’t wait for spring and kayak fishing, which wasn’t an easy in-and-out last year). Know to be ready, trust Dr. O’Neill and his staff, and be ready to rehab.

THANK YOU DR. O’NEILL AND STAFF!

From the 1st time I met with Dr. Peterson, I was impressed. He took the time to look at all the past history, the current x-rays and examined my knee. He informed me that I was a good candidate for total knee replacement. When I asked what was involved, he explained the procedure to me including any possible risks that could accompany the procedure. He assured me everything would be done to reduce any chance of the risks, and in doing so made me feel very comfortable about moving forward. Several weeks later I had the surgery and was home the next day. I was up and walking the 1st day following surgery and was able to walk without any assistance in just under two weeks. My 2 week follow up with Dr. Peterson’s P.A. was very pleasant and I was advised everything was going well. I returned to see Dr. Peterson at the 6 week post-op date and I was returned to work with no restrictions.

Dr. Peterson and his entire care team are outstanding in every aspect. When I had questions, and believe me I had plenty, I always received answers the very same day. I would recommend Dr. Peterson and his care team to anyone. They are “TOP NOTCH”. You won’t find anyone better.

When it came time to choose a new doctor, it was an easy choice for me… As a high school coach, I saw the care that Dr. Holm and the team at TCO provides our athletes. Dr. Holm performed my knee replacements with great skill and care. I especially appreciated that when my unusual situation caused additional unforeseen complications, Dr. Holm wasn’t too proud to seek the collaboration of other members of the experienced TCO surgical team. Now I am again walking my dog daily and I even went hiking in the mountains on vacation… something I have not been well enough to do for many years.

I am a 79 year old patient of Dr. Arntson and have been for about 6 or 7 years. I had been struggling with knee problems for several years, the cartilage had worn away on the insides of both knees. In the beginning, Dr. Arntson started me on Synvisc shots in the knees which worked well at the time and kept me pain free for about six months. After about 3 years, the Synvisc no longer worked and Dr. Arntson started telling me the insides of the knees were now bone on bone. He tried to tell me it was time for knee replacement but I kept holding off thinking they were close to making stem cell therapy work for the knees which would naturally grow new cartilage in the knees. Dr. Arntson, as you have seen in other reviews, is a kind and caring man, pleasant to talk to, who explains everything to you in depth and gives you his best opinion but leaves the decision up to you. I then started getting cortisone shots for the next 3 years, which only helped for about 2 months between shots. Finally they got so bad I talked with Mayo Clinic about the stem cell replacement and they told me that they could replace stem cells and grow cartilage in the knees but had problems with getting blood to the knees to keep them alive and growing. They would only last several months. Finally Dr. Arntson convinced me to do partial knee surgery, which replaces the joint on the inside knee bone and leaves the rest of the knee alone. He told me he would do both knees at once and I finally agreed. It has been almost 5 months since the surgery and I couldn’t be happier with the surgery and Dr. Arntson. I am doing everything with these new knees – biking, golfing, dancing, bowling, and on and on with no pain. I will say, however, that I constantly and religiously did my therapy after the surgery and continued it at home plus I am not overweight, I try to keep myself in shape. I believe that makes a great deal of difference. Thank you so much Dr. Arntson.

In November I had a total knee replacement. The successful surgery was performed by Dr. Charles Eggert. I was extremely impressed by his ability to find specific antibiotics and pain medications that I was not allergic to. My gratitude, complements and complete satisfaction are extended to him for a surgery with no infections. After many weeks of strenuous physical therapy, I returned to work. I am looking forward to hiking around America’s National Parks.

It’s been a year now since my PKR surgery and my knee looks and feels great! Dr. Arntson is kind, caring and well respected by patients and co-workers. Got questions? He’ll answer them all. He seems rather quiet but tells it like it is. Its ok if you’re not ready for surgery. He will address your fears and maybe you will change your mind, as I did. I look forward to eventually having two good knees with a little help from my favorite surgeon. Dr. Arntson is simply the best and I hope you’ll visit with him to see for yourself why he’s highly recommended.

I’ve had numerous issues for several years related to osteoarthritis in both knees. TCO did a good job responding to flare-ups and kept me going for as long as my knees would allow. But as my 60th birthday approached, bringing with it my retirement, I wanted to take more definitive action to put the flare-ups behind me and ensure I was fully able to enjoy the very active retirement plans ahead of me.

With the decision to go for a bilateral total knee replacement, the EXCEL program made great sense. The program provided a ton of information, clearly set my expectations and prepared me for the surgery and recovery. It took me from planning through surgery, overnight recovery, physical therapy and all follow-up appointments. It was a true team approach and absolutely comprehensive.

My team, led by Dr. Kelly, was fantastic. His PA, the nurses, PTs, anesthesiologists, office professionals, and even the van driver, were all very attentive and great at what they do. It’s now been nearly 10 months since my first surgery and nearly 8 months since the second TKR. I walk several miles daily, I’m doing all the things I used to do before my knees turned against me, and I‘m enjoying the retirement activity I‘d been looking forward to. The rehab wasn’t the most fun I’ve ever had, but it was completely manageable and I have no regrets. If I had to do it again, I’d go right back to Dr. Kelly and the EXCEL program.

To the entire staff at TCO,

It is difficult for me to even know how to completely describe the incredible experience I had at TCO during the past few months. Let me start with the facts. I have had a problem with my left knee for about 15 years, ever since a mountain bike accident caused a small stick to penetrate and damage my knee.  This somewhat minor accident caused arthritis to develop. A few years later I had two arthroscopic surgeries to remove pieces and shape my meniscus. This helped but years later the arthritis continued to advance. My first consultation with Dr. Christopher Meyer at this point put me on a path to relieve the pain for several more years.  Of course, we knew at some point a knee replacement would become necessary. We arrived at that point this fall.

From the time that Dr. Meyer recommended the replacement to today (8 weeks post surgery) my experience has been nothing but extraordinary. I cannot think of a better customer service experience in my lifetime! The care and attention I have received at every level has been amazing! There has not been a moment during this process that I didn’t feel completely cared for. The folks at the surgery center were amazing, everything was explained in ways that I completely understood and my concerns were listened to and addressed. The aftercare following surgery made me feel very encouraged and comfortable. I never felt like I was being rushed out and I felt like those attending to me considered me important.

Then, I went to Aurora for the rest of the day and one night. Oh, my gosh! I literally felt like I was the only patient there. But it was more than just the care and attention. The staff was friendly and, again, they never seemed rushed. I appreciated the time they took to have conversation with me and just be available. They took the time to listen to how I was doing and remembered things like I REALLY like my coffee and accommodated me on some of those little things that make you feel so at home. I have to drop a big thank you to Rachel! I know there were others but I don’t remember all the names. Sorry!

The follow-up has also been amazing! I’ve gotten timely calls to make sure I was doing ok and to ask if I needed anything. Also, Sommer has been wonderful in answering all my questions and making sure I have everything I need.

Then, it was on to TCO Burnsville for physical therapy and Alissa has also been amazing. Once again, she listened to all the little nuances of how my knee is doing and how I was feeling each time I went there. She has been encouraging every time and each time I left facility I felt like I knew exactly what I needed to do to keep progressing.

If I could think of one thing you could improve on, I would tell you.  But… I can’t think of one thing! I truly wish I could remember the names of all the people who attended to me throughout this process but I can’t. Just know that every one of them should be commended because EVERY ONE of them did a great job! Dr. Meyer, Sommer, the folks at the check-in desks, the nurses, the attendants, the anesthesiologist, the aftercare folks, Rachel, Alissa…every one of them.