Patient Testimonials

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.

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.