Patient Testimonials

After cortisone shots for pain in her right hip, Diane found that daily activities continued to be restrained by worsening pain. Dr. O’Neill described to her the new anterior approach he had been studying and implementing for hip replacements and he recommended this approach to Diane.
With the right equipment, Dr. Owen O’Neill performed Diane’s hip replacement and the outcome was fantastic! Diane states, “I was in the hospital for two days and went home with no restrictions. There was much less pain than the previous surgery on my other hip. My scar is five inches long– half as long as the other one.”
As soon as she came home from the hospital, Diane could get in and out of bed without assistance. In ten days, she no longer needed a walker or cane. She faithfully did physical therapy exercises, all at home!

Read Diane’s full article in the St. Francis Regional Medical Center Magazine here.

From start to finish, Dr. O’ Neill and the entire staff at Twin Cities Orthopedics were great. He totally explained everything to me before, during and after my hip replacement. From bone to bone and now, no hip pain!

I am deeply appreciative for his knowledge and know how, and for the excellent care I received. I would recommend Dr. Owen O’Neill and TCO to anyone.

I had my surgery on Dec. 8th, 2015, and I write this two months later. I am 48, and have always been very active and in pretty good shape. I’m amazed at how quickly I recovered, and how smooth the process was, from start to post op. Dr. O’Neill has been great and his entire team (Marni, Jessie and my awesome nurse, Ashley, to name a few) were fantastic. I used a walker for two days, graduated to a cane, and in four days was walking with no assistance. I started light exercise in three weeks and now am doing all the physical activity I was doing before my hip started bothering me. Every day gets a little better. I would recommend this procedure and Dr. O’Neill and his team to anyone.

*Matt had an Anterior Approach Hip Replacement performed by Dr. Owen O’Neill.

I haven’t felt this good in years and finally have my life back. According to my family, friends, and neighbors, my recovery was incredible and amazing. The neighbors saw me walking to the corner when I got the home the day after surgery and around the block the third day after surgery. By the fourth day post-surgery I was shopping with a friend. I used a walker until I came home from that shopping trip, then decided I didn’t need it and went to a cane for a few days. My surgery was June 15; by the middle of July I marched in the Aquatennial Parade and went hiking in the Grand Canyon the beginning of August. I haven’t felt one twinge of pain since I went in for surgery and had stopped all pain medicine after four days.

A woman from church encouraged me to see Dr. Brian O’Neill at Twin Cities Orthopedics, where she works. She told me about the great results his patients had and that most came to their two week checkup walking normally. I had the anterior approach total hip replacement surgery. I was very pleased with the information I was given to prepare myself for surgery. The class was helpful also, not only for me but for my husband to know what to expect after surgery. I found that the anterior approach had much fewer restrictions during recovery. I cannot say enough about the level of care I received, as well as the friendliness of everyone. I won’t hesitate to have the same surgery on my other hip.

I found all aspects of my hip replacement, treatment and care to be a great experience. Accommodations, food, and above all, the people who worked on and with me were terrific.

Dr. Karlstad has been unequaled in patience, expertise and care. I totally trust him and know that he will do anything he can to make you “new” again. He is an EXCELLENT surgeon.

Dr. Owen O’Neill has replaced both of my hips. The first was done October 16, 2007 and the second was done recently on November 13, 2015. In 2007 he explained to me that the surgery would be as minimally invasive as possible but it was done using the then traditional approach (either lateral, from the side, or posterior, from the back). Actually the first was somewhat a combination of the two; I’ve described that left hip replacement as having the incision in a southwesterly location. I was told of the physical limitations and pain I would experience until I was fully recovered. I used crutches, did all of the physical therapy exercises and managed the pain with medication. There were no surprises and I was very satisfied with the results

The recent 2015 replacement was done using the direct anterior approach. Before the surgery Dr. O’Neill explained that this different approach should minimize the pain (and the necessary medication), speed healing and generally provide a quicker recovery. Of course I somewhat seriously asked why we didn’t do it that way the first time. It is now about 2-1/2 months after the second surgery and I’ve jokingly told Dr. O’Neill that hip replacement has become similar to getting fast food; drive up to the first window, insurance makes the payment, drive to the second window, get a new hip and go home.

I don’t recall exactly how long I used crutches in 2007, how much pain medication I took or how long it was until I was able to resume all physical activities without any limitations. I do recall enough to know the difference in the overall recovery from the two surgeries was remarkable. In 2015 I used the crutches for less than a week, I did not use all of only one prescription for pain medication, I was carefully riding the stationary bike in less than two weeks in addition to doing the physical therapy exercises and I was walking normally with no pain in about a month. At about a month post-surgery I was able to increase my workouts to about an hour and one-half nearly every day (bike, weights and exercises). I will resume outdoor biking up to 30 miles a day when Minnesota weather permits. My recovery from the most recent surgery was so much quicker and involved much less pain. I don’t believe any surgeon could have done a better job and it’s a big plus when your doctor is also a very nice fellow.

My experiences with Dr. Sanders began with an appointment for hip pain in 2013. I found him to be very professional, personable, friendly and ready to listen to the description of my symptoms. The arthritis in my hip required hip replacement surgery two years later. During that time, Dr. Sanders continued to treat me and his professionalism reassured me that I was in good hands. Now, two months post-surgery and completely healed, I know I was right! I cannot recommend him highly enough!

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!