Patient Testimonials

My experience with Twin Cities Orthopedics and the EXCEL program was great from start to finish. We only had one hiccup during my time at TCO. There was a thunderstorm on the day of my surgery and the air conditioning went out at the surgery center. Dr. Owen O’Neill explained the safety issues and the team handled the situation very professionally. Due to the safety matters, we decided to move my surgery to the next day. This demonstrated how important it is to focus on the safety of the patient and showed how efficiently a situation can be managed. It was out of the control of the surgical team, yet managed very well.

The entire team from office visits, to surgery, to overnight recovery, to post-surgical visits was very professional and enjoyable.

I know Dr. Owen O’Neill has seen three new patients at my referral since my surgery in May. I will continue to refer patients to Dr. Owen O’Neill and the EXCEL program.

Thank you!

Dr. Larson and his care team are excellent! From the first visit, through surgery to now 6 plus months post-op. Dr. Larson and his team were fabulous in the care they gave me. Being an active individual, who also works as a nurse, I am on my feet all day, all the time, but thanks to Dr. Larson my days are now pain free! The work Dr. Larson and his team have done is truly remarkable and I would choose Dr. Larson again in a heartbeat!

My hip replacement experience was excellent and life changing. Prior to surgery I had significant pain that limited my mobility and restricted me from the activities I enjoy as well as limited my ability to run my business. The pain initiated in my hip, but my back and right knee were also in pain. It was hard for me to believe that at just 61 years arthritis was to a point that I needed replacement. I also didn’t believe that replacing my hip would resolve my back and knee pain, but it did. I first consulted my general practitioner and on advice of a doctor within my insurance coverage, I had a steroid injection as a first step. With no improvement, I researched options for hip replacement, information on procedures and chose Dr. Brian O’Neill at TCO.

My experience was exceptional from the beginning through my final re-check. From a basic patient perspective, I had no long waits, had my questions answered and felt that Dr. Brian O’Neill listened to my concerns. The surgery was fast, the experience at the Interlude Center was fantastic, and best of all I am completely out of pain and back to a very active, pain free life.

Details that worked well for me:

– I appreciate that surgery was scheduled early in the morning. I had minimal general anesthetic issues.
– The bundled billing and ability to pre-pay was a very convenient option. It is also helpful as a patient to have one contact person should there have been a question on the billing.
– The education meeting with the TCO/Excel nurse Marni was very helpful to know what to expect.
– The printed booklet was helpful as it is easy to forget details.
– Recovering in the Interlude Center through the Excel program was a perfect after surgery experience. Private room, private nurses, physical therapy and a follow-up with an internist gave me access to care in one package and eliminated the chaos that can come with a hospital experience.
– The nurses that cared for me were wonderful and well suited to that kind of care.
– The room at the Interlude Center was great-it is nice to be surrounded by comfort while being focused on recovery.

I have only 2 recommendations based on my experience. It would be helpful to receive a chart or spreadsheet that scheduled the pain medications to be taken at home. I was familiar with the drugs and the nurses educated me, but for some patients this could be confusing and easy to forget what to take and when. There was a written list of medications prescribed, but not a specific schedule outlining how and when to take the meds.

The other recommendation is a printed handout from the therapist with pictures of the Phase 1 and Phase 2 exercises. Even though I could have used my laptop to access the videos, I created hard copies of exercises and included a chart of completion to make it easier to get it done.

I rate my experience A++. I would be giving my testimony in person but I am celebrating my 39^th wedding anniversary with my husband in Florida. We walk 4 miles on the beach each morning and that was my goal when scheduling the surgery in early August. Life is good, thank you Twin Cities Orthopedic team!

I had a minimally invasive right anterior hip replacement on 10/16/2015 by Dr. O’Neill. It is truly a miracle for which I am very grateful. For the first time in over 18 months, I am walking without pain. I have a range of motion that amazes me.

I had polio as a 9 year old and had 3 surgeries on both legs and feet and now have worn bilateral leg braces for 16 years because I have post-polio syndrome. I was fearful of more surgery and I think even the EXCEL staff was leery of my disabilities but I can safely say that I have made it through the surgery in excellent shape. The first time I stood up in the recovery room I knew the pain was gone!

I highly recommend this surgery to anyone who needs a new hip! I also highly recommend Dr. O’Neill and all the staff at TCO including Eileen, Alyssa & Jessie. The EXCEL nurses and PTs were also terrific. All of my appointments were timely and the front desk staff are wonderful. Dr. O’Neill is very kind and thorough and humorous and I am so thankful for him. I am a RN and have been for 40 years and we nurses are very discerning and sometimes we aren’t the best patients, but this was a truly remarkable experience for me and my husband.

If someone ever would tell me I would look forward to an 8″ needle (I think; I never look) going straight into my hip, I would walk straight away. More likely, limp. Having seen Dr. Hunt and getting the crusty-hip-on-the-road-to-replacement diagnosis, I was given options to delay the inevitable. And this would be those injections. I had a dislocated knee in junior high and had a really bad needle in the knee joint aspiration so when Dr. Hunt suggested this, I got the queasies. Not a very willing patient. And that is where Nick Meath comes in. Straighforward, down-to-earth, deadpan funny, beyond professional Nick the Needle. He explained his ultrasound targeting procedure and assured me he just didn’t miss. And you know what? He doesn’t. While I don’t look forward to heading in for a top-off, I have come to trust Nick and his competence completely. Knowing that when my replacement day comes, Nick will be part of the surgical team reassures me to no end. I cannot commend this young man enough for the patience, care, and compassion he has shown me. He is just that good! Thank you, Nick.

From the moment I met with Dr. O’Neill I felt at ease and comfortable with the decision to go ahead with my hip replacement. I was bone on bone and in pain. They scheduled me pretty quickly. I had it done at Southdale Fairview and everyone was wonderful. They took such great care of me and Dr. O’Neill and his assistant, Jessie Donovan, are true professionals with a great bedside manner. All my follow up appointments assured me I was on track to my recovery. I would highly recomend Dr. O’Neill to any of my friends or family. Thank you so much for taking such great care of me. My hip is perfect!

Good as new! Dr. Hunt did my hip replacement and I feel great. I am back biking, swimming and hiking. I even enjoy mowing the lawn again.

Dr. O’Neill performed a Total Hip replacement, Anterior approach on February 23, 2015.
This was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Prior to the surgery I struggled to walk a block or two and now I am back to 100% with no restrictions.
The recovery time was minimal, the patient care was outstanding from start to finish with follow up calls and appointments with Jessie and Dr. O’Neill.
When I explain the process and the ease of recovery with this surgery people are amazed, especially with the flexibility to cross my legs and really no restrictions, it’s as if it’s better than new.
I would recommend this procedure and team of Dr’s to anyone who is looking to get their quality of life back, I’m sure glad I did.
Thank You!!

I had my left hip replaced in 2000 with the posterior type surgery. I had difficulty walking (with a very noticeable limp which caused a lot of back pain even after many weeks of therapy.) When my right hip became painful, I was afraid to go through such misery again even though I couldn’t walk more than a few minutes without sitting down. I heard of the less invasive anterior hip approach by accident and was very leery of it until I met Dr. O’Neill. His attitude gave me such confidence that he could correct my limp. I am so thankful that I met him. My surgery was on July 2, 2015 and I came home on July 4th. There wasn’t any need for even a cane after the second week. Now there is absolutely no back pain or limp for the first time in many years. None of my acquaintances could believe that I even had the surgery when they saw me after the second week. It is truly a miracle for me and there aren’t enough words to describe my admiration for Dr. O’Neill and the capabilities for him and his staff.

I can stand upright and walk painlessly, again!

This was the least stressful medical event I’ve ever experienced thanks to Dr. Teynor.  Not only am I able to stand up straight, but I can walk, sit, lie down or do any other activity that was previously difficult or impossible.  No pain, no difficulty during recovery, rehab was a breeze; in fact everything has gone so well, that I often forget that I had the procedure.  I would do it again, with out question.