Patient Testimonials

I needed help with my left shoulder that had a failed first replacement. I was in a lot of pain and had lessened flexibility. Dr. Leafblad replaced the bad joint with a new reverse joint. The operation was just great. I have no pain now and the shoulder has all of the flexibility, motion, and utility I hoped for.

I met Dr. Ockuly over a year ago at TCO River Falls. After completing X-rays and an MRI, it was determined that I needed to have a total hip replacement for my right hip. Dr. Ockuly and his staff were friendly, professional, on-time, efficient and willing to help in any way possible. Due to being a diabetic, my surgery was postponed until May of 2023 until my A1C was below 8. The surgery was a success. I no longer need to use a walker and am back riding my HD motorcycle within 6 weeks after my surgery. Thank you so very much Dr. Ockuly. You are a world class surgeon!

My wife and I were patients of Dr. Shammash when she was at another practice. We are pleased that we can continue our relationship with her now that she has joined Twin Cities Orthopedics. Dr. Shammash is always well-prepared for appointments, listens attentively, and explains things clearly. We are comfortable entrusting her with our ongoing care.

Dr. Banks is simply the best spine/neck surgeon in my opinion! He goes above and beyond what is expected. He watched me walk into his building and told me the issue wasn’t my back, it was my neck. I walked with a cane, while dragging my right leg behind me. An MRI confirmed he was correct, and we scheduled surgery immediately. After one of my surgeries, my husband had to be out of town for business. Dr. Banks called him on his way home from work to tell him how my surgery went. How many doctors do you know that would do that?

Dr. Banks told his staff that if I ever call with an emergency, they are to let him know because with me, it’s always an emergency! I have referred several people to see him. He is straight and to the point with anyone’s orthopedic issues. If he can or if he cannot help you, he will let you know.

If you know of anyone with spine or neck issues, Dr. Banks is the surgeon for you! I will NOT let any other spine/neck surgeon touch me! I don’t know what I’m going to do when the day comes that he decides to retire, hopefully that’s not for quite a while. He is a very caring and skilled surgeon and I truly appreciate his talent and knowledge. Thank you, Dr. Banks, for everything you have done for me and continue to do for me! I appreciate YOU!

In April 2023 I fell at the gym, landing on my right hip and was in terrible pain. My husband took me to TCO Urgent Care in Vadnais Heights. I was seen right away and X-rays showed a hip fracture. The staff worked hard to find an operating room available for emergency surgery and I was told that Dr. Leafblad would do my surgery the next morning at Hudson Hospital. He talked to me on the phone, explaining the surgery, and after talking to him I felt relieved that there was a good plan in place. We went to the hospital and met him the next morning before surgery. The surgery went well and I have been following up with him at two, six, and twelve weeks post-op. I will see him two more times. Dr. Leafblad is a wonderful doctor and it’s obvious he cares about how I’m recovering from my injury. I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Leafblad, his staff, and TCO.

It has been one year since my back surgery and every day I am so thankful for Dr. Banks. He changed my life. Prior to surgery I was experiencing back pain that would radiate down my right leg into my foot. We tried conservative approach but soon realized that surgery was the best option. Today I can say my surgery was a success and I am back to being active. Thank you Dr. Banks.

Sending a big thank you to Dr. Parker Hanson for the cortisone shot he gave me. I saw him recently for my extremely painful osteoarthritis flare, but initially decided to wait because: 1) I was hoping it would clear up sooner than later and 2) because I have severe needle phobia, due to an emergency surgery when I was younger. He reassured me that he had done thousands of these and he was very good at it. I told him I would be the judge of that. I can’t say it was completely painless (or terrifying) but he did a great job and I was so sorry I had suffered for 4 weeks because of fear. Thanks, Dr. Hanson!

I am so grateful for Dr. Hunt! I had a knee replacement with another doctor in July 2020 and knew something was wrong, because I was in so much pain. When I would turn or move certain ways, I felt things move or it felt strange in my knee. I was told everything was fine so for two years, so I thought I was either right or crazy. Then in November 2022, I was in a bad car accident and needed MRI’s of both knees. The results were read by a different doctor who told me there was loose hardware in my right knee. At that point, I saw this accident as a blessing in disguise.

I immediately transferred my care to TCO after getting a referral from my boss’s family, who recommended Dr. Hunt. The first time I met with him, he acknowledged everything I had gone through and promised me that he would fix my pain. I lost faith in the health care system until that moment, and for the first time in a long time I felt safe. I trusted Dr. Hunt. I had my surgery in April 2023. It went amazing and recovery, along with in home therapy went great. Dr. Hunt and his team (and everyone at TCO) are so wonderful, supportive and professional. I could go on and on about how lucky I am to have found him. I am in good shape and back to work. Thank you so much for helping me. I 100% recommend Dr. Hunt and TCO.

Two rotator cuff surgeries (for different types of repairs) left me with no pain but lack of range of motion. I totally trusted Dr. Norberg when he told me a reverse replacement would give me back the use of my right arm. I cannot begin to express my appreciation to Dr. Norberg and his team for their care and skills. The rehab was thorough and when I went back for the follow up appointments, I was thrilled to learn I was way ahead of schedule! One year post-op, I feel I have total use of my arm. I am reaching for the top shelf of my cupboards, lifting, and carrying (all with limitations, of course). I am completely satisfied with the outcome and would recommend Dr. Norberg to anyone with shoulder issues. He is absolutely the best!

Unfortunately our daughter slipped on the ice and took a spill. We went to a local hospital and she was misdiagnosed for about 2 weeks. They gave us a boot and told us everything would be fine. We were lucky enough to talk to a friend who recommended TCO as a second opinion, as we felt a little uneasy about her pain level and progress. Once we did, they recognized right away that it was a tri-fracture and she needed to get emergency attention.

Dr. Engasser took on our daughter as a patient right away and saw her the next day. He was able to reset her foot and start the healing process. 8 months later she has no effects from the tri-facture. We are so thankful for his quick, decisive, and informed actions. He talked with his colleagues, he talked with us, and he made us feel confident about every step of the way. Again, I will never go to another place for my orthopedic needs. Had we stayed the course and didn’t seek out a second opinion at TCO, she would be walking with a limp. Instead she’s playing basketball with her friends right now.