Patient Testimonials

Dr. Mittelsteadt and his staff were amazing. I tell everybody about him and TCO. I could not imagine having a better experience. If I ever have to have surgery again I’m going back to TCO! I stayed at the EXCEL Care Suites for a night. Recovering was really nice and the nurses were amazing there too. Thank you so much to TCO for a great experience on something I was regretting. It was not bad at all.

During the month of July 2015, I had a full knee replacement on my right knee. My recovery time was 90 days before I could walk without a wooden pole. However, in order to remodel the first level of our single-family home in November 2015, I still had to maintain a daily intake of pain medication to perform manual work seven days per week. This intake continued until December 2015.

I was introduced to Dr. Bircher at your new TCO Plymouth location and I had a full left knee replacement in February 2024. Physical therapy was performed at TCO Maple Grove. Something was very different this time and the healing process was entirely different. That same month, I ceased taking pain medication and Tylenol. There was obviously a much faster recovery time than my 2015 procedure.

The question is, “what changed to cause such a difference in recovery?” I don’t think the actual replacement procedure, nor the replacement devises have changed much in eight years. There is only one major factor that could alter the healing time as much as it did, and that would be the knowledge and skill of Dr. Bircher. In addition, Dr. Bircher has great bedside manner.

In summary, I would like to mention and give credit to the two PT’s that pushed me and guided me through the post-op recovery process. Elsie Olsen and Therese Owen have great personalities and skills. They worked hard and encouraged me to complete the recovery process properly and in a short time frame. Both of them are very pleasant to be around!

I am just 3-months out from my second Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery with Dr. Owen O’Neill and his team. This surgery was as successful as my first TKR two years ago with Dr. O’Neill and his team. I again can attest that everything about Dr. Owen O’Neill, his team, TCO and the EXCEL Program were top notch. From pre-surgical prep, through surgery, post-op, PT-rehab, and personal training sessions I remain extremely impressed with TCO.

After my surgery it was critical to go through 6-weeks of great TCO physical therapy sessions and then four TCO personal training sessions over the next month to focus on sports specific training for agility, strength and speed in my racquetball sport. Within 2+ months after surgery I started getting back to a competitive level on the r-ball court as an “A-level” player. And I am getting stronger each week due to the proper surgery skills and technology, coupled with the effective post-op rehab and training. I am very grateful for an excellent surgical experience, outcome and results in getting back to the quality of physical life I desired.

I will continue strongly recommending Dr. O’Neill to my friends and fellow athletes. If you want peace of mind for your orthopedic medical matters then Dr. O’Neill and TCO are your clear choice.

Dr. Ridley performed knee surgery on my high-school aged daughter and has been thorough in every sense along the way. This was my daughter’s third knee surgery (the first two by other surgeons), so we had many questions, and it made things a bit more complicated. We live in the Duluth area but working with Dr. Ridley has been nothing but positive and absolutely worth the extra travel. He is a clear communicator, and prompt for all appointment times, answers questions well, and we couldn’t be happier with the surgery results. We really feel he is an incredibly attentive physician. Thank you, Dr. Ridley, for such a positive experience!

I recently came to Dr. Ridley to follow up after a fall on the leg that he had repaired. I appreciate Dr. Ridley’s honest approach to care; he is also very thorough. I will continue to recommend him for his professionalism and excellent care.

After a fall with 4 years of terrible pain, Dr. Bircher eliminated the pain and corrected my short leg to match my good leg. Thank you, Dr. Bircher!

My left knee issues started close to a year ago, so I started seeing Dr. Lewis some time ago. We tried everything we could do to avoid surgery, however in order to resolve the remaining issue with the knee, I had Dr. Lewis replace my left knee some 5 weeks ago. The whole experience in the EXCEL program has been a first-rate affair. The surgery, the after care, the physical therapy, and just today I had my 6-week review with Dr Lewis. I’m pleased to report that the recovery plan has probably put me ahead of schedule!

I’m a very active person in general and Dr. Lewis has supported me in my effort to get back to a normal life.

If I have to replace my right knee down the road, Dr. Lewis will be my surgeon, no if or buts about it!!

I had a right total knee replacement on September 5, 2023, and a left total knee replacement on January 2, 2024. Both replacements were done by Dr. Arntson at Mercy Hospital. I have so much respect for Dr. Arntson. He is very knowledgeable, has a great bed side manner, and explains everything fully. I was back to working an active job six weeks after each surgery. Thank you to Dr. Arntson and his entire team for giving me a new lease on life pain free!

With years of aches and two prior knee surgeries it was time for a replacement that previously was denied by another physician due to a blot clot issue. Dr. Bircher and I had an open discussion about the clot issue and after careful testing and consultations it was agreed that the surgery could be done with minimal concern. I felt Dr. Bircher and Kari Gabrielse, PA-C were serious and straight forward of the pros and cons of having the surgery as well the physical therapy necessary after the surgery which wasn’t easy. I felt so positive of the overall process they took me through, the support staff in the OR, and the after-surgery care from the hospital staff that I could only rate them as 5 STAR practitioners.

I had a recent total right knee replacement by Dr. Bircher and I am so happy with the outcome! I was surprised that I had no pain during recovery, just slight discomfort, and I was back to work sooner than I expected. My whole experience from scheduling the surgery, having surgery, and physical therapy was all so positive! My knee feels great!! I will request Dr. Bircher for my left knee replacement as soon as I’m able. Keep up the excellent work!!