Patient Testimonials

In 2009, I tore my ACL playing soccer. In the late winter of 2019, I tore my ACL again and I saw Dr. Barry. The first week it was painful to walk and then after it popped it felt like nothing happened. I saw Dr. Barry before and after the MRI and we talked about the options I had. He gave me three options, and two of them was not getting surgery but also not being as active as I am now. As a surgeon who usually wants to do surgery, he wanted the best for me in my lifestyle. He asked me what I thought, he also asked me how I felt about what he said. Dr. Barry is a kind-hearted doctor that wants the best for you. He came in before my surgery and asked if I was ready and gave me a lot of time to ask any and all questions. Dr. Barry knew exactly what he was going to do and explained it clearly. One thing I really like is that he works very closely with the physical therapist (PT) and the PT’s keep in contact with him. Dr. Barry’s team is professional but kind and really just wants the best for you. I would have Dr. Barry do another surgery if I needed it. He is really great and honest.

On May 27, 2017, I stood on the top of the podium at the NCAA DII Outdoor Track and Field National Championships after winning the 1500 meters in record setting fashion. I worked so hard for that moment. I was on top of the mountain. The climb was extremely difficult and painful, however, every moment of it was worth it. Little did I know that the next two years would be the ultimate test of my physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual strength. In July 2018, I joined Team USA Minnesota, a professional running team located in the Twin Cities. I started training for my dream of making the Olympic Team in the 1500 meters in 2020. A series of lower let injures had hindered my senior year cross-country and track seasons and I was eager to put them behind me and train under an amazing coach and with talented teammates. I also received care from TCO physicians and physical therapists to keep me at my optimum health. Unfortunately, the lower leg injuries prevailed. I was diagnosed with a variety of lower leg injuries that plagued me on and off throughout the fall.

Finally, around mid December, after ruling out stress fracture, stress reaction, tendonitis and compartment syndrome diagnoses, my podiatrist from TCO, Dr. Langer, did not give up on me. He mentioned the possibility of a condition called, Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome. It is an extremely rare vascular condition for women my age where muscles behind the knee compress the main artery and vein. This results in limited blood flow to the lower legs and a variety of painful symptoms. Langer referred me to a vascular surgeon who confirmed his diagnosis.

On February 27th, I underwent surgery on both legs. The surgeon removed both my plantaris muscles, opened up the soleus fascia and created more space for the blood vessels. Since surgery, I feel incredible relief in my lower legs. Dr. Langer is my TCO champion because without him I never would have been tested for this rare condition or had the opportunity to get surgery to fix the problem. Under the care of Dr. Langer and my physical therapist, Mike Shirilla, I am excited to have the opportunity to continue my road to recovery, train and compete pain-free and pursue my Olympic dreams.

When I first saw Dr. Szalapski I was mostly impressed that he wasn’t pushy about doing surgery. He let it totally be my decision on if and when I did the surgery. Once I made the decision to have it done, he sat down and fully explained everything about the procedure and recovery. They didn’t make light that there would be times I was going to be uncomfortable at first. Everyone on his team has made this as painless as can be. I am truly glad I went to him to have this done. So I can say if you follow his instructions and do the work, you will be greatly impressed with how your new knee recovers and feels. Should I ever need to have my other knee done, I will know I will go back to Dr. Szalapski.

I met Dr. Szalapski and had my first hip replaced at 42 years old – scared to death! It went perfectly and no limp. I had my knee replaced at around 50 years old and my other hip done a year later. Last year, I had my shoulder replaced and was told I may only get 70% of my range of motion back – I got 100%. I would never think of anybody but Dr. Szalapski to perform my surgeries when I have had the best care and absolutely no complications!! His support team and Jessica are the best also! Bonus he has a good sense of humor.

A friend of mine has seen Dr. Szalapski for over 20 years and gave him a glowing recommendation! I was struggling with my knees and walking stairs. The minute Dr. Szalapski walked in to see me, he was professional and down to earth! I immediately knew that I was going to like him. He watched me walk and looked at my knees and said right away I needed replacements. We did the left knee three years ago and the right knee this past summer of 2018. I am very happy with the outcome and can do the stairs with no pain. When I wanted more pain meds I was given the maximum allowed and was okay with that because I did not want to become addicted to a medication. I watched a child of mine struggle with addiction and knew that was not something I wanted or needed in my life! When Dr. Szalapski stops the pain meds he is following guidelines. I would recommend him to anyone that needs replacements!

I chose to have my knee replacement surgery with Dr. Szalapski based on the recommendation from my daughter. Dr. Szalapski and his staff walked me through the procedure and explained what to expect for surgery and recovery. 3 months post-surgery and everything is going well and I am feeling better. I would highly recommend Dr. Szalapski and the staff at New Prague surgery department.

On February 13th, 2018 I had my first knee replacement. Then on December 7th, 2018 I had my second knee replacement by Dr. Szalapski. He is very professional at his job, answered any questions I had and he had a good sense of humor. I would highly recommend him to anybody who needs a knee replacement! Thanks Doc for the good work!!
Ron G.

I’m a soccer player and I first tore my ACL in August 2016. I had surgery and two weeks later had a second surgery due to a rare situation where the endpoint of my graft moved. I spent 6 months in PT with Deb Kostecki and Kelly Soukup. I returned to playing soccer in June 2017 and couldn’t be happier. I finished my club season by winning the Midwest regional championship and earning a trip to the national championships with my team. My high school season started again in August 2017 and my club season began in late October. I tore my ACL for a second time on Superbowl Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. I also tore both of my meniscus at the same time. I had a 5 hour surgery on 2/21/18 where my ACL was reconstructed from my quad tendon, both meniscus were repaired and a cadaver tendon was placed along the side of my knee, like an internal splint. I started back in PT again a few days later with Kelly and Deb. I had so much scar tissue built up from my prior two surgeries that the nerves in my leg were affected and I couldn’t get my knee straight and had continual pain in my foot. My focus in PT was range of motion in my knee and recovery from the surgery. I struggled with both. In July 2018, I had the 4th surgery on my knee in 22 months. This time it was a soft tissue release and scar tissue was removed as well as the nerve in my leg being released from the scar tissue and internal stitches it had gotten stuck on. Immediately after the surgery, the pain in my foot was gone and my range of motion was improved. I’ve continued with PT since that point to work on range of motion and now strength. Since August 2017, I’ve had 4 surgeries on my left knee and been in PT for almost 2 years – 15 straight months with the last injury. While I’ve had to give up my dream of playing college and club soccer, my goal is to play one last season of high school soccer. My comeback story isn’t complete. I continue with PT once a week. I’m also participating in ACE Plus with Maggie Dewitz and training at Training HAUS to build strength in my leg. People think I’m crazy for wanting to play soccer again, but the entire team at TCO, my PT’s , Dr. Neil Johnson and the Training HAUS crew, including Kirk Olson and Scott Schriever, are helping me work for one last season of high school soccer so I can leave the game on my terms this time.

Our TCO comeback story is a family affair. TCO’s expert surgeons and caring and knowledgeable physical therapists helped three members of our active family through a difficult 2018-2019 orthopedic year.

In May 2018, after many injuries and pain from decades of activities: football, baseball, basketball, running, floor ball and mountain biking, Dr. Chris Coetzee surgically reconstructed dad, Paul’s ankle (age 58).

Also, in May 2018, daughter, Emma, age 24, tore her ACL playing for her club ultimate Frisbee team. Dr. Christie Heikes surgically repaired Emma’s left knee in June 2018. In January 2019, Emma hit a speed bump in her recovery when she returned to Dr. Heikes for a cyclops lesion in the same knee.

Not to be outdone, mom, Beth, age 56, had her ski and hockey season cut short with shoulder surgery at the end of February 2019 with Dr. Adam Bakker. (Dr. Andrea Saterbak also got Beth back into skiing and hockey after her third ACL surgery in 2016; Son, Joe, had hand surgery with a TCO doctor too.)

These injuries were challenging for our active family of four. Our quality time is centered around sports. Every day after supper, when the kids were younger, we would go in the backyard to play games. Most often we played 2v2 soccer or wiffle ball. When the kids grew older, most evenings were spent at an organized soccer, baseball, softball, floor ball, hockey, or downhill skiing event. We attend each other’s events and encourage each other to reach our athletic goals. Therefore, we were eager to start our comeback journey.

Our family’s comeback journey led us to TCO’s physical therapy group. There, Brooke Deshler’s positive and motivational spirit inspired Paul to work through a long period of significant pain and instability to where Paul recently walked nine miles on a beach in Florida and biked over two hours on a warm Minnesota spring day.

Physical therapist, Mike Slavics, has encouraged both Beth and Emma with his fully engaged spirit.

Beth is back to a normal schedule of biking, working and everyday tasks. Nicole Tezuka’s upbeat personality also encouraged Beth to improve her range of motion and shoulder strength and even shared an excellent protein power ball recipe!

Emma’s significant knee injury at times isolated her and took her away from her day to day social network of her team sports and friend’s activities. Mike Slavic understood that physical activity was a big part of Emma’s well-being and identity. Mike inspires mental toughness and encourages Emma to persevere, often reminding her she is still an athlete. Mike passionately and safely motivated Emma to greatly improve her strength and balance so that Emma is now ready for TCO’s ACE (return to sports) program. Soon, Emma will be able to return to club ultimate frisbee and rejoin her mother’s hockey team.

Our family is still on our comeback journey. We often do our physical therapy together or go on walks to stay active. We are gearing up for family hikes this summer.
We owe our Comeback Journey to TCO’s Drs. Coetzee, Saterbak, Heikes, Bakker and physical therapists Brooke Deshler, Mike Slavic’s and Nicole Tezuka.

In the summer of 2017 I tore my right ACL playing kickball. I had never experienced an injury in my life that required surgery. I was scared, in pain and not knowing what recovery would have in store for me. The staff at TCO was amazing, my surgery and physical therapy went great. I was back playing kickball and volleyball the following season and never felt better. Unfortunately, in January of 2019, I was preparing for an out of state ski trip at Afton Alps. I took a turn on my skis and down I went. I had torn my ACL in the left leg. I remember the pain and also the frustration of having to go through another surgery and another recovery. Again, TCO delivered a great surgery experience. I began the recovery process, feeling pretty defeated. My physical therapist, Daniel, made my recovery fun. While challenging me to begin the repair process, we were able to talk about our mutual love for Game of Thrones and also of course the Minnesota Vikings. Daniel made sure that I felt comfortable and always took the time to try new things and come up with new ways to get my muscles strong again! I sincerely hope that this is the last time I will need to use TCO for surgery and recovery, but I am happy to spread the word about their excellent service and my positive experiences I have had over the years. Thanks TCO!