Patient Testimonials

A previous patient of Dr. Meisterling’s, Baiers, was honored by the St. Paul Saints baseball team as the TCO Comeback story.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORdZjgKn_Uc]

Dr. Arntson and staff have been Fantastic, the nursing staff ( Fridley, CR, Otsego) have been so kind and comforting through this tough surgery and recovery process, including the X-ray & MRI techs. Kristin, Dr. Arntson assistant has been so kind and helpful making sure I don’t miss any appts. I would highly recommend Dr. Arntson to anyone for ACL surgery he is very transparent and truly cares about his patients.

I’m a 52 year old woman who has spent my entire life working on my feet. Either as a restaurant server, to manager and most recently a freelance makeup artist. So it wasn’t surprising that I started having knee pain years ago. I tried the usual; massage, ice, heat, tons of Advil, glucosamine & chondroitin. Finally I knew it was time to have an orthopedic surgeon take a look at them. After having X-rays done, my worse fear came true. I was bone on bone in both knees. I had outlived my knees. I was very shook up. I decided to try cortisone shots and after the first time I felt like a new woman. I thought, “ok I can do this. Yes I have to have surgery, but I can put it off for awhile”, well the 3 months went by and my knees were feeling bad again so I went in for another cortisone shot. This time, nothing! It didn’t help at all. I met with Dr. Holm and confirmed I would need surgery. After speaking to him for a bit, I knew he was the doctor I wanted to do my surgery. I liked his upbeat attitude and his overall confidence. I cannot express my gratitude enough in Dr. Holm. After listening to a few well-meaning friends, I took my husband with me to see Dr. Holm again. I needed my husband to help me understand that all options were off the table, and that if I wanted the quality of life I had been missing I would have to do the bilateral knee replacement. Dr. Holm was very patient and kind to once again explain what the surgery would entail. So October 11, 2016 I was admitted to Fairview Ridges hospital for my surgery. I was a basket case. Every single person I came into contact with was exemplary! They alleviated all the stress and fear that I was feeling. The surgery went extremely well. Dr. Holm confirmed that my knees were a mess! So after 4 nights at Ridges (where my nurses and PT personnel were fantastic!)  I was sent home. I am so pleased to announce that I am recovering quickly. It’s been 24 days and I am walking without a walker. Going up and down stairs (slowly), but never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be where I am right now. I cannot express my absolute gratitude to Dr. Jason Holm, his PA Jamie & care coordinator Kelly! They have been there for every question, concern that I have had. I highly recommend that anyone considering surgery that they choose Dr. Holm and his team! So thank you once again, Dr. Holm, Jamie, and Kelly! You truly are the best!

As a sports fanatic, it was very difficult to forego activities like golf, softball, bowling, etc. due to inability to walk or run without severe pain. Previous surgeons informed me that at my age of 57 that I was “too young” to have knee replacement surgery. Waiting an additional 18 months proved too painful and I got a referral to see the good doctor Allan. Within 30 days I had two Oxford partial knee replacements and returned home after surgery at Abbott within 36 hours. I was driving within three weeks and after successful therapy sessions I’m out golfing, trapshooting, boating and enjoying all kinds of activities. Dr. Hunt’s group at TCO and the staff at Abbott were absolutely superb and a patient couldn’t ask for any better treatment. Dr. Hunt reviewed every step of the procedure in detail and I felt comfortable with the decisions that were made for my health. You will not regret choosing Dr. Hunt as your surgeon.

If anyone tells you that you need a knee replacement, see Dr. Kruse as soon as possible. He and his staff are the best. You are a person to them and you will be getting the best surgeon and care team you can find.  Dr. Kruse is that rare surgeon who not only excels at what he does, but is also a caring human being with a sense of humor. The information packet he provides tells you exactly what to expect both pre and post-surgery. He replaced both my knees within the same year (the second knee decided to go downhill with little warning/injury). My recoveries were excellent. I encourage anyone who needs a knee replaced to have Dr. Kruse do it sooner rather than later.  In the scheme of life, the surgery and recovery are a very short term inconvenience for getting your life back.

After years of pain in my knees and difficulty walking very far, I had had enough and decided it was time to do something about my knees. A friend recommended Dr. Szalapski. I had both knees replaced (April and October) in 2013. I wish I had done it a lot earlier. I can walk for miles, and I do on our hiking and camping trips. I can kneel for a few minutes and I owe it all to the wonderful skills of Dr. Szalapski and Joe. Dr. Szalapski encouraged me to continue with exercises after I finished the therapy program. So very glad my friend recommended him after her knee surgery.

Absolutely love Dr. Lewis. So easy to talk with and always explains thing in terms I can understand. There is no other knee surgeon I would recommend to friends and family.

I had Dr. Szalapski perform a long overdue knee replacement approximately one year ago. It was a complete success, eliminating my pain, and through dedicated therapy and exercise, I have regained full mobility. He truly has changed my life.

I was introduced to Dr. Johnson when my husband had knee replacement surgery. We were always treated with respect and his very calm manner made us feel less anxious. It was very successful surgery and there were no complications. Now I have knee issues and Dr. Neil and Tad have helped me work through the varied options. Everyone at TCO is very friendly, helpful and efficient. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my knees.

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.