Patient Testimonials

I am another very satisfied patient of Dr. O’Neill‘s. Since my surgery a little over a year ago I have recommended Dr. O’Neill to a half dozen friends who are also in need of a replacement hip. He is the best!

I have been pain free since my surgery July 13, 2016.  It was scary but everyone was great.  Dr. Peterson always had such confidence. He was so sure of himself he got me to also believe in him.   I’m so glad I did aside from the immediate pain from the recovery process which was not fun. I would recommend Dr. Peterson and I would do it again.

I had arthritis on my hip and it wasn’t too annoying, but with my Parkinson’s I had two bad falls. My hip must have moved because I was bone on bone and it was extremely painful after that.  I tried shots and therapy, but after the last fall I couldn’t get the surgery done fast enough.  If you are considering this surgery don’t suffer, get it done and improve your quality of life.

Dr. Butterfield fixed my 95 year-old mother’s broken femur.  Within only a few months’ time, she was “up and at ‘em” with the aid of a walker.  Today, she navigates short distances without aid.  From pre-op through the mending process, Dr. Butterfield has earned our respect, trust, and appreciation by exceeding expectations in every way. We see him as a highly skilled surgeon whose valued time and attention are thoughtfully shared.  We look forward to his charming follow-up appointments. 

Randy Wittman, former NBA player and coach, had been experiencing continual knee and hip pain for 20-plus years before he came to Twin Cities Orthopedics’ Brian O’Neill. Dr. O’Neill performed hip surgery for Randy, and then a knee replacement 6 weeks later.

With help from TCO’s EXCEL Program and Dr. O’Neill, Randy was able to return to his regular lifestyle, traveling, playing golf, and walking without pain. “I’ve gone through a lot of surgeries—back, three knee replacement operations—and the EXCEL Program was the best. It wasn’t like being in a hospital. I went from the surgery to a private suite, and was connected to a nurse for the whole process of both my hip and knee—that nurse is like a sister to me now,” says Wittman. “And for insurance and billing, you get one bill. That’s it, at the end of the process. It made everything so much easier for me to use the EXCEL Program.”

*Randy Wittman’s story was featured in the September ’16 Issue of MPLS St. Paul Magazine. See more here

The EXCEL program sounded too good to be true. However, I had a nice comfortable suite, no ugly hospital gown and I felt much more at ease than in a hospital. Instead of feeling exhausted when leaving the hospital after surgery, I felt somewhat rested and closer to “normal.” I even got to drink a coke!

I highly recommend the EXCEL program. The care was great and I felt very comfortable there.

I am an active person and a professional gardener. I was able to work this spring after having surgery at the end of January. I got a lot of support and encouragement from Dr. Mair and Erin. I am even planning a backpacking trip this fall. Last year I was afraid these things would not be possible.

I had a very successful total left hip replacement in November 2011. The surgeon used the posterior approach procedure.

In May 2016 Dr. O’Neill performed an equally successful total hip replacement on my right side using the anterior approach procedure.

There are significant differences in the recovery process between these two approaches.

In the posterior method I used a walker/cane about 2 1/2 weeks and the discomfort was greater. I was back walking 18 holes of golf in about six weeks.

After the anterior procedure used by Dr. O’Neill, I started walking unaided (no cane) on day 2 after surgery. On day 7, post-surgery, I started putting and chipping at the golf course. On day 12, I was walking 3 miles most days at 90% of full stride. By week 3, I was walking 4-6 miles most days at 100%.

My wife and I are going hiking in the Italian Alps in August 2016.

WOW! What can I say about Dr. Owen O’Neill and his staff? I’m a super active mid 60’s guy who was playing a pretty high level of competitive racquetball 2 to 3 times per week until the last couple of years. My hip pain got to the point where I could not play at all, much less competitively. I was waking up 10 to 20 times per night from pain with obviously significant sleep interruption. Walking from the house to my truck in the driveway was very difficult.

First of all, my hip pain disappeared completely. What a magnificent relief. Secondly Dr. O’Neill and his staff made me feel listened to, empathized with and cared for. I managed to strain my inner thigh muscle 3 days after surgery, so that set my recovery back a bit, but here I am 3 months out and super pleased with the results. My left hip also needs replacement and at my 3 week checkup, in spite of the strained muscle issue, I told Dr. O’Neill that I couldn’t wait to get the left hip done. I’m scheduled for that in October 2016 and I expect to be back at racquetball by January or February 2017. Without hesitation I recommend Dr. O’Neill and his staff. On a scale of 1-10 they get a 15.

I first met Dr. Gulli in 2008 as I had a major MVA in which I suffered femur fractures to both legs, a broken ankle, a severely damaged left ankle, a broken nose, and several lacerations.  Dr. Gulli was called to perform my surgeries on my femurs and ankles in the emergency room.  It is now 2016 (8 years! WOW!) and I have healed very well and quickly due to his amazing work.  I was told I would not walk without help for up to 12 months, but I was up and walking in 3 months with cam boots and a walker.  I have rods in both legs from hip to knee and hardware in my ankle as well and I have had no issues with the hardware at all.  I had my arthroscopy in June of 2016 due to torn meniscus and misaligned knee cap.  I am healing well with that as well.  I praise him for the work he did for me, he made it so I was able to walk again after several months of PT but I did it!  Dr. Gulli is very patient orientated and is thorough in what he does.  I feel comfortable going to him and will recommend him to people in need of orthopedic care! Great doctor, great surgeon, and great facility!

I have had pain in my left hip for many years, due primarily from arthritis. I put off seeing a doctor about it until I asked nurses at Wyoming Fairview Hospital who they would recommend for such a surgery. Dr. Thomas Comfort exceeded all my expectations. His before surgery interest, questions and care was exactly what I had hoped. He saw my difficulties with any walking and stairs. Surgery was scheduled as soon as possible. Following surgery, even in the hospital there was only minor discomfort. He scheduled in house physical therapy which was just what was needed to get my hip working without pain. In three weeks, I was walking normal, and doing the steps without pain, and now bicycle riding pain free.

It has been 3 months now, I am totally pleased with Dr. Comfort’s skill in surgery and his followup advice. His team of caregivers, the PA and nurses all were extremely helpful.

Words can’t express the severe pain that my bone-on-bone hip caused me.  My total hip replacement procedure went extremely well and I was fortunate to not have a single pain in my hip after surgery.  I went home the next day.  What a relief it is to once again be able to put on and tie my shoes, get into low cupboards, and do all the other things requiring a good hip.  I would refer Dr. O’Neill to anyone suffering from hip problems.  He and his assistant, Jessie, provided me with the best care and support one could hope for.