Patient Testimonials

I have a wonderful success story! I had a bad hip fracture in April 2019, which an ER physician repaired with screws. For the next 18 months, I suffered pain and increasing disability. In the meantime, my right leg shortened, so that I walked very poorly. I consulted Dr. Owen O’Neill because of his excellent reputation and because I wanted a solution that would allow me to resume an active lifestyle. In my late 70s, I was not ready to give up!

Dr. O’Neill impressed me on my first visit. He explained my X-rays, the advantages of his surgical approach, and answered all of my questions with thoroughness and care. To make a long story short, I felt less pain post-surgery than I had in the past year and a half! The length of my right leg was restored, and I could walk unassisted within a week. After one month, I was able to travel to New York to spend Thanksgiving with my daughter and her family. I am deeply grateful to Dr. O’Neill and his team of caregivers for all of their help. Thanks to them, I have my life back!

How would I describe my experience with Dr. Knowlan at TCO? Absolute perfection, articulate, and flawless. The quality of the surgeon and surgery are unparalleled. Even the incision for my hip replacement is almost the quality of a plastic surgeon. Dr. Knowlan’s personality is very welcoming and family-like. I personally think that I am very fortunate to have been cared for him. Thank you, Dr. Knowlan.

I can’t say enough wonderful things about Dr. Hoel. Prior to going to TCO, I had been diagnosed multiple times over the years for a back muscle strain. He immediately linked sciatica to my back pain, and ordered an MRI to discover that I had a badly herniated disc. I tried physical therapy and a cortisone shot previously, without any relief. Because I was in such pain that I couldn’t live my life normally, I opted to have a microdiscectomy. Friends and family had me scared of the potential risks for surgery. But Dr. Hoel explained the procedure clearly, and took time to answer all my questions. He was extremely sympathetic to my pain and situation, and his care coordinator was able to schedule the surgery for the time frame I had requested. He explained the procedure clearly, and took time to answer all my questions. The surgery team was wonderful in their compassion and the care they provided me. It’s been two weeks since my surgery and I am happy to say I’m nearly pain free – it feels like a miracle compared to my symptoms prior to the surgery. I can’t thank Dr. Hoel and the entire TCO staff enough. I highly recommend TCO and Dr. Hoel. Thank you!

I went to my family doctor with a lot of pain in my right hip. Right away, he referred me to Twin Cities Orthopedics and Dr. Owen O’Neill. He said that if his mother had a bad hip, this was the doctor he wanted her to see. Dr. O’Neill took x-rays, examined me, and said the hip would only get worse in time and that I should let him replace it. As it was, I could no longer golf or drive without using my hand under my right knee to lift my foot from the gas pedal to the brake, and vice versa. I could not do stairs! Still, I put off surgery for a while and when I could no longer stand the pain, I put aside my fear of surviving surgery (at my age of 77 years) and asked him to help me.

He replaced my hip and after 2 days, I was home on a walker. 10 days later, I was walking around my house with a cane. Then on my next visit, I was walking on my own just like my old self – NO cane and NO limp! Soon, I’ll be playing golf with my friends and teenaged grandchildren. I just had my 5 year re-check and am doing great. I will see Dr. O’Neill in another 5 years. Oh yeah, and I have a very small amount of visible scar tissue on the front of my right thigh and hip level. We are blessed to have TCO here in our area and, of course, Dr. Owen O’Neill.

Dr. Banks is the best orthopedic surgeon I have ever known. He has been our physician (for my wife and I) since 2004. When I say he’s the best, it is not only about his skills but the way he interacts with his patients and staff. Dr. Banks takes his time to listen carefully with respect to your concerns. He is a kind, knowledgeable person and is surrounded by very professional, friendly and helpful staff. My wife and I have had two surgeries each, performed successfully by him. My wife has had two cervical fusions and I have had two lumbar discectomies. Each surgery went very well and the recoveries were fast. My last surgery was done on December 22, 2020. I called it my ‘life saving surgery’ because the pain I had before it was gone. Big thanks Dr. Banks!

Dr. Knowlan did a great job with the reconstruction and cleanup of my torn meniscus. I debated a long time about having the surgery but I’m sure glad I did!!! Thank you Dr. Knowlan and TCO!

Last year while playing golf, I had a sharp pain in my right arm. I was advised that I had a strain of my triceps above my right elbow and that I should let it heal over the winter. As an avid golfer, I was extremely frustrated this spring when the pain came back on my first round of golf. Thinking that my golf season was over, I wanted to find an orthopedist that would be able to get me back on the course. I was given Dr. Norberg‘s name from a good friend, who said he is the go-to doc for golfers. During my first appointment, Dr. Norberg let me know I had a bone spur that was causing the pain and I needed surgery. Two weeks after surgery I was hitting balls and, within the first month, I was able to play 18 holes. Thanks Dr. Norberg for saving my golf season.

Dr. O’Neill is a fantastic surgeon. I would HIGHLY recommend him to anyone needing orthopedic care. He is extremely knowledgeable as well as compassionate and kind. I underwent a total knee replacement on 3/2/20 with much anxiety prior to surgery but after meeting with Dr. O’Neill and his team I felt so reassured and confident going forward. Dr. O’Neill was very attentive during my care suite stay and with my follow-up care. Dr. O’Neill was readily available with any questions I had during my home recovery. The EXCEL program is a wonderful program with great care from nurses, physical therapists and Dr O’Neill. I am SO SO glad I found Dr. O’Neill and went with the EXCEL program instead of the hospital route. PT staff were great and the RNs and coordinators kindly took care of my requests promptly. My recovery was great as well. At the end of week one my flexion was 110 degrees and 140 degrees by beginning of the 3rd week! I am now able to walk without pain! Dr. Owen O’Neill IS THE best surgeon. I can not recommend him highly enough! #1 Physician.

My surgery was a great success! Dr. Meyer was extraordinary and the care I received was amazing! The nurses at the Chaska Surgery Center were incredible! The recovery has been moving along smoothly. Walking without pain is such a treat!

I am so excited to express to your staff how pleased I am with the remarkable service I received from everyone in your office on July 31st 2019. From the front desk people to the surgical nurses, to the doctor’s assistants (you, Lisa, of course played an integral part in all of this) to Dr. Larry and Dr. Coetzee himself. I am so impressed.

I had bunion surgery and from the moment I arrived the day of surgery until my grandson picked me up, every second I spent in the surgery center was absolutely pleasant. I wasn’t a bit concerned or worried about pain or the bad effects that anesthesia can cause. It went so fast I was amazed. I had a speedy recovery – walking in 3 days, driving in 5 days, jet-skiing in 11 days (not kidding) and motorcycle riding in 2 weeks. I am now back to work 5 weeks later, in retail, on my feet all day long. No pain or problems. I never could have expected such a wonderful experience. I healed quickly and barely have a scar.

Thank you all so very much for my wonderful experience with you. I will refer all my friends and family to you. Love you guys.

Sincerely,
Patty J.