Patient Testimonials

Dr. Szalapski has been injecting my arthritic thumb for two years now. I thought I was going to have to give up golf and gardening but Dr. Szalapski encouraged me to try the injection. I was petrified to get a shot in a very small and sensitive joint but it was a very small price to pay for the reward of being able to get back to doing so many things that I enjoy. Thank you Dr. Szalapski!

I can hardly believe that it’s now been over 3 years since Dr. Mark Fischer did my successful Carpal Tunnel Surgery. EMG results and clinical tests had confirmed my bilateral struggle was worthy of getting them both fixed, so I did both hands one month apart (but with 2 different surgeons). After knowing my 1st surgery’s struggle, I was so grateful that he didn’t put me under anesthesia for the surgery. I enjoyed being awake during the surgery with just the operable area isolated for surgery. I got to ask questions of him and the team and watch the screen during the surgery. Yes, some of us geeks love that stuff. I only regret that I hadn’t first met Dr. Fischer so both hands could have been successes.

I was suffering for quite a while from bursitis and thumb arthritis. I called Twin Cities Orthopedics who connected me with Dr. Fischer. He was wonderful. In a matter of minutes Dr. Fischer knew exactly what my problems were and how to fix them. I had heard horror stories for years about how painful cortisone shots were. That was not the case with Dr. Fischer. I was pain free within a day. He works miracles and I am so glad I found him. He specializes in hand and wrist areas but was kind enough to help me with both of my shoulders. What a wonderful and caring doctor.

I am from California and was visiting my son and his family in Woodbury, MN. I slipped on ice, fell and broke my wrist. I saw both Dr. Holmes and Dr. Karlstad at Twin Cities Orthopedics. I was very emotional to learn I needed surgery. The doctors, their nurses and office staff were so thorough, accommodating, and helpful. They were prepared to get me into surgery as soon as possible. They helped me make the decision to go home early and have the surgery there. I appreciate being a visitor, the time they spent with me, and resources they provided. I highly recommend Twin Cities Orthopedics!

I want to express my utmost gratitude to you, your team, and the whole TCO team. We ended up in your care under very unfortunate circumstances with a little girl who was very traumatized by her injury. The TCO team was so gracious, patient and caring. I could not thank you guys enough. From the person who answered my call at the call center and got us an appointment with Dr. Moeller, while keeping me on the phone for 30 minutes to figure out how to make it happen on the same day. Wow what persistence and care to maneuver all the pieces to make it happen. To the care team in the office who was so respectful of my daughter and her needs, not once minimizing her feelings, or being annoyed at her crying. To you, who stayed with us while we called insurance to figure out if your clinic was in network for our insurance. And of course, Dr. Moeller who took such great care of our little girl while having to change surgery locations.

Honestly from the bottom of my heart thank you so very much. Thank you for the work you are doing. Your efforts and care does not go unnoticed by our family.

Please pass along this message to your higher ups. I want your superiors to know what an outstanding job you are all doing.

My first visit with Dr. Meyer yesterday was incredible! He has definitely restored my faith in the medical profession with his incredible bedside manner and his knowledge of Dupuytren’s Contracture. His confidence in his diagnosis surpasses all others and to me, that says it all. Kudos to Doctor Meyer! We need more handsome Dr. Meyers in this world who cares about his patients and medical profession.

My wife, Sean, and I were on our first bicycle ride in decades a few weeks ago when Sean’s bike slipped out from under her. She suffered a distal radial fracture. We were an hour from our Lakeville home, so we went to the TCO urgent care facility in Stillwater. There, we saw Dr. Matthew Hofkens and his staff. Dr. Hofkens quickly diagnosed the fracture, stabilized it, prescribed pain medication, and made a follow-up appointment for Sean with Dr. Stephen Olmsted at the TCO clinic in Burnsville. Dr. Olmsted scheduled Sean for surgery three days later. Less than a week following her injury, Sean had necessary corrective treatment and was on her way to recovery. The quality of medical treatment provided by both Dr. Hofkens and Dr. Olmsted was top notch. Both Docs have a great bedside manner. They are very professional in their approach; however, equally important is their sense of humor. Perhaps most remarkable is the fact that EVERY SINGLE PERSON with whom we interacted at the Stillwater and Burnsville clinics, as well as at the Surgery Center, demonstrated concern, compassion, and dedication to swiftly resolving Sean’s dilemma. Add to the list the lady who answered the phone when Sean needed a boost in pain medication and Dr. Hofkens’ follow-up text to Sean to check on her . . . all outstanding! Wait times were virtually zero. Timeline: Injury and emergency treatment on Saturday, appointment with Dr. Olmsted on Tuesday, surgery Friday, removable splint and home therapy instructions the following Thursday. Drs. Hofkens and Olmsted, and their entire staff, provided the finest medical care we’ve ever experienced in our long lives!

Over the course of the past two and a half years I’ve been fortunate to have Dr. Arntson as my orthopedic surgeon. My first encounter was by chance after an accident left me needing wrist surgery. When I required a full knee replacement the following year, I did not have to think twice in considering which doctor I would choose.

Both surgeries were significant to me as a woman in her early 50s. I had many concerns regarding my recovery, mobility and quality of life. I was thoroughly impressed with the professionalism, care and compassion in which these concerns were addressed. Dr. Arntson showed me that he is a physician that takes the time to work with his patients to provide thorough, high quality feedback.

After each x-ray and ultrasound, he clearly and concisely discussed what he saw and what he felt would be the best next steps regarding my health. He was also patient in answering my questions. I never felt rushed, or that I was taking up too much time needing clarification. In addition, during my pre, mid and post-surgery periods, I received the highest quality of care by Dr. Arntson and his staff. The best way for me to express this is to say that Dr. Arntson strikes the right balance between surgical and soft skills.

The process of working with Dr. Arntson and his team at Twin Cities Orthopedics was extremely streamlined and efficient. Appointments ran on time, phone calls were returned promptly, medications were refilled when needed and concerns were addressed without hesitation. I always felt valued and that my health and recovery mattered.

I believe Dr. Arntson’s character traits are outstanding additions to the Twin Cities Orthopedics team. He gets to know his patients; he remembers you and your specific health concerns while getting to know you as a person. These qualities created trust, built clear, strong lines of communication and created a relational partnership during my medical journeys.

I can’t thank Dr. Arntson and his team enough for the support they gave me to heal, feel strong and have a better quality of life.

Dr. Koch is surely one of the top wrist surgeons in the country! She is incredibly empathetic, listens, understands, explains clearly, takes genuine interest in the patient and follows up with care. Her surgery skills are wonderful. In 2018 I sustained a near complete scapholunate ligament tear in my right dominant wrist while playing tennis. Other doctors did not give me much hope. However, Dr. Koch was quick to see me, get me into the required operative care, very attentive post-surgery, and periodically called me to follow my progress. She was extremely prescient in how the recovery would progress and was very confident I would be back to playing tennis again. Needless to say, two years later I was back to playing tennis and golf, and I have even improved my game thanks to Dr. Koch. Having experienced the incredible turnaround she accomplished with me as a 53 year old man, pretty sure she is amazing with all her patients. I could not be more grateful to Dr. Koch and her team for restoring my hand strength, skills and normalcy in my life!

Thank you, Dr. Bakker! I can’t say enough about the excellent care that I have received from you and your staff. I am always treated with the utmost respect from you and everyone in the TCO organization. I highly recommend TCO!