Patient Testimonials

It’s not easy to say, “Yes, give me a new knee.”  However, after months of knee pain after a fall and a subsequent diagnosis of bone on bone and arthritis, I was ready.  Dr. Szalapski addressed my concerns and questions with patience and kindness and I was put at ease.  Thanks to him for my new knee and thanks to his staff, Jessica and Joe, for their timely responses to my calls and questions. I can’t say enough about the excellent after care of the nursing staff at Fairview Southdale Hospital. The entire experience with TCO was more than I could have hoped for.

Had my knee replaced on June 1st by Dr. Butterfield. After months of trying various options to relieve my knee pain, it was decided to do a total knee replacement. Dr. Butterfield did a FANTASTIC job! I have my quality of life back after only 3 months. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome!

I met Dr. Eggert after I broke both bones in my lower right leg while going to get the mail and slipping on ice.  He performed surgery, including putting a titanium rod inside the tibia from the knee to the ankle, along with screws to hold it in place.  The recovery process is close to finished and has gone smoothly, absolutely no complaints.  I am thankful that Dr. Eggert is my doctor.  He is a kind, caring doctor, skilled surgeon, and a very nice person.  I am very pleased with the work he did and would highly recommend him to others in a similar need.

Bill H., my husband, had a total left knee done in April of 2015 and then he had his right knee done in January of 2016.  He is back on his bicycle and did his first Tour de Tonka last Saturday.  Bill just recently retired from nursing (he had a 40 year career in pulmonary and critical care/trauma) and I am also a nurse, so we understand how extraordinary his experience was and how well he has progressed. As Bill’s wife, I am just thrilled with the outcome of his surgeries.  Dr. O’Neill and his team gave him back his mobility and enhanced his quality of life.

I can’t express enough the satisfaction I have had with all aspects of my surgery, starting with Dr. Panek and all the adjunct caregivers from the hospital stay to his assistant Will. Dr. Panek’s expertise, intelligence, kindness and reassuring manner was absolute top notch. The surgery went perfectly, the results are such a relief to my well-being. I was able to regain my strength and flexibility within three to six months of the surgery. I went on a month long trip to Europe at the beginning of the sixth month, that he predicted could happen for me without pain or discomfort. I am forever grateful to my friend for recommending him. Thank you Dr. Panek.

I had knee replacement surgery and had only visited Dr. O’Neill once before the surgery. He told me I had a torn meniscus but also a lot of arthritis so I would need a knee replacement. He was very professional, courteous, and kind. He did a great job and the scar is minimal. I highly recommend him.

As a young man in about junior high, I began dealing with chronic knee pain which my mother passed off as growing pains. Finally, a trip to the doctor revealed I in fact had the beginning stages of arthritis in both my knees. The protocol at the time was a Hemiepiphyseal stapling surgery (I am NOT a doctor, so please know this may NOT be exact name of the procedure I had done – I had BOTH knees done at the same time). I can tell you it was a painful two summer stint of surgeries and recoveries which were successful in limiting my pain, and allowing me a “normal” life for the next 30 years. I made it to 52 without “serious” complications. I did have a small surgery done on one knee after the removal of the staples for some internal issues which I must admit were likely due to my personal habits (competitive curling).

At the ripe old age of 50, the effects of the earlier surgeries had “worn off” and I needed help. My wife and children encouraged me to visit another doctor to evaluate my situation. I knew in the back of my mind that I was in trouble, but when I met Dr. Steven Meisterling, I immediately trusted him and his opinion. The road to knee replacement was charted and I never looked back. I just had my 6 week post-op appointment and I can say without reservation, Dr. Meisterling and his team have given me 10 years of my life back. My new knee is essentially pain free, I have amazing range of motion and I am truly getting my life back. Prior to surgery, I was very limited in my ability to get around, both at home and at work. I coach track and field and the most recent season, pre-surgery, was brutal to say the least. Next season promises to be amazing given the success of my recent surgery. I will be able to grouse hunt, deer hunt and just do the simple things in life that had evaded me for too long.

At my last appointment, I was very clear to tell Dr. Meisterling that while he may be the “head coach”, the team he has pulled together is absolutely amazing. From the office personnel that answer the phones, through the nurses, PA, and to Dr. Meisterling, the staff is outstanding. They have treated me with the utmost respect and professionalism. The trust I had in Dr. Meisterling on my first appointment was genuine and my instincts were accurate.

I have scheduled my second knee replacement and I am confident that the outcome of the next knee replacement surgery will be as good as my first. With the support of Dr. Meisterling’s team, the physical therapists, and some work on my part, I will enjoy a long life of pain-free living. Thank you to all of you for your hard work and in truly making my life better. I am truly blessed.

Dr. Lewis develops a great patient relationship and is a great surgeon. I have been a patient of his for many years and I highly recommend him.

I have had five surgeries with Dr. Szalapski, all successful. He is a skilled physician as well as a caring person. His nurse and P.A. helped get me through some traumatic experiences related to a bad infection that attacked my knee. Dr. Szalapski was extremely thorough and cautious and after taking my knee out because of the infection, would not replace it until he was 100% sure that the infection was gone. As a result I now enjoy walking around the lake.

I am so happy about my new knee. It has been practically pain free. I can move around so much better and I feel I have a new lease on life. Dr. Meisterling and staff were very professional and were concerned about me before, during and after care. I am relieved it is over but all in all a great choice I made.