Patient Testimonials

My husband has suffered with Parkinson’s Disease since he was 44 years old. The constant shaking for 13 years has damaged his knee and shoulder joints, causing extreme pain. He is not a surgical candidate and refuses all opioid pain meds. Dr. Holmes injects his joints a few times a year, which has enabled my husband to still enjoy fishing and hunting. Thank you Dr. Holmes!

I had a Total Knee Arthroscopy in 2016 in Cleveland and it never healed completely. That surgeon’s staff kept telling me I just needed more PT. So I did it. By 2018, I couldn’t take the pain any longer and was referred to TCO. The surgeon that saw me immediately referred me to Dr. Anseth. I was scared. The first surgery and recovery had caused me so much swelling and pain. Dr. Anseth and his wonderful PA Heidi told me that my original replacement was loose and it’s movement was wearing away the top of the bone on my calf.  They moved their schedule around to get me into surgery in less than 30 days, which is very fast and uncommon in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Anseth made it work and after first seeing him in May, I had my revision surgery by June 1!

Recovery was difficult. Apparently I have a minor bleeding disorder which I found about through a referral from Dr. Anseth. According to him, I has more post-surgical bleeding than any other patient he has ever worked on. Let me tell you, blood where it’s not supposed to be, hurts a lot. Dr. Anseth and Heidi were concerned for my recovery and followed it very closely, meeting with me often. It was such a different experience than I had with my first surgeon. They didn’t belittle me or condescend when I complained about severe pain even 3-months after the surgery. They worked with a pain clinic to ensure I got the relief I needed. Their compassion never stopped even when it appeared that my recovery was not going as it did with most of their other patients. Dr. Anseth’s work however, is not just technically accurate and by the book. He took into consideration the fact that I was born with legs turned inward which, though corrected as a child, caused the structures around my knees to be somewhat uncommon. The first surgeon didn’t do anything “wrong”, but he didn’t take this into consideration, and installed the implant as he would with any other patient.

During my revision, Dr. Anseth took more than twice the normal amount of time fitting and refitting my revision implant. He is the first to say that there is science and best practice procedures to follow, but he very much relies on whether or not the implant “FEELS RIGHT.” He’s and artist as much as he is an engineer and physician.

After 5 months the pain subsided and the knee healed. The leg is still a bit weak, but getting stronger all the time. It was a rough road but I can say that with any other surgeon I may have given up, and I’m am not sure this second implant would have worked. I was a hard case, but Dr. Anseth and Heidi were up to the challenge and I will be forever grateful.

With both of my knees at the end of their original warranty period, we were looking for recommendations for an experienced Orthopedic surgeon who would do a good job with knee replacements and who was able to accommodate some special timing needs. Two higher-ups in the Fairview organization recommended Dr. Szalapski. He did my first knee on August 20, and the second on November 19. While the second knee is still brand new, I can say I am very pleased with how the first replacement turned out. Dr. Szalapski is a good guy, down to earth, with a large personality. He’s approachable and obviously knows his stuff. He’s an easy guy to recommend.

Hi Dr. Kruse has always listened carefully to my concerns and performed the best possible surgeries on both of my knees. He is excellent!

I first saw Dr. Barry for a tear in my right knee 4 years ago when he repaired my meniscus tear and I had immediate relief. This year I have a tear in my left knee and had the surgery done by Dr. Barry and again I had immediate relief with no other complications or pain. His staff is professional, friendly and results driven. My knees feel great and I could not be happier with the results.

I cannot say enough about how well my experiences were with my knee replacements. From my initial evaluation, developing a plan of action, the cortisone shots, the actual replacements, all the way through to post surgery pain management protocol and follow up visits, Dr. Lewis, Libby, PA and staff were professional yet personable, experts at what they do, and extremely skilled. I am 5 months out from my last knee replacement and just finished a 5.7 mile organized hill-filled walk which I have not been able to do in 3 years. I highly recommend this team!

Dr. Steven Meisterling –

Deepest thanks for the surgery and counseling my right knee, both in 2009 and this year. I’m resuming a normal life due to your skill and dedication. To say that I’m grateful would be a huge understatement. I’m extremely lucky for your expertise, counseling and dedication to healing.

I completed physical therapy this week at TCO Stillwater and am moving normally and comfortably. Physical therapists Tim Hafemeyer and Kristine Sicora are expert “coaches” and counselors. Ms. Sicora happened to be my PT at OSI following your surgery on my knee in 2009. I could not have asked for better treatment. They’ve given me suggestions for further work on my own.

Both the clinical team and the administrative team are excellent. Please extend them my appreciation.

Great work, Doc! And thanks again.

I was so afraid to have my knees replaced even as much pain that I was in. I finally did it and 4 months later did the other side. Awesome results with surgery by Dr. Knowlan, hospital, therapy and recovery has been unbelievable!

Dr. Owen O’Neill:

I had my left knee replace on October 19, 2016. Recovery of the strength in the knee went according to the expected timetable of the therapy group at Twin Cities Orthopedics except for stretching the hamstring and calf muscles.

Because I had played tennis with pain and a bent knee for 15 years, the muscles wouldn’t stretch out to less than 6 degrees. You then recommended a Dynaflex brace to wear 6 hours a day (3 in the morning and 3 in the evening) for 7 weeks. With tightening this this brace each week, it said that improvement would be 1 degree per week.  After 7 weeks, my left knee was at -1 degree.

I stretch and exercise every day and it has helped improve my tennis game. Before my operation, I played doubles with a group of 12 people.  I was about in the middle of the pack playing with pain and couldn’t run.

With my new knee, my game has improved to where I am now at the top of the pack by about 20%. I can outrun most in my group and have full flexibility. I wish I would have done this 15 years ago.

Thanks for your operational expertise.

Ralph G.

Dr. Knowlan gave me my active life back. As an OR nurse I’m able to be on my feet 10 plus hours a day doing what I love and helping patients get back their quality of life back. Now as a knee replacement patient I can identify even more with them and give them my positive outcome story and the proof that they too will be able to do most of the things they’ve given up or sacrificed due to their knee pain. I get to do all the things outside of work that were either painful or I’d say I couldn’t do because of the anticipated pain that would come with it. It affects every aspect of your life when you can’t participate in activities that bring you joy and happiness! I have my life back again and gladly tell others how happy I am with Dr. Knowlan and his awesome team! It was the best thing I’ve done for myself!