Patient Testimonials

For 5 years, I have known I needed both of my hips replaced. I put off the surgery and dealt with the pain until it started to affect my back. I knew I had to do something and finally, I had an in-depth conversation about the surgery with Dr. Lewis. I had high anxiety, not about the surgery or recovery, but due to waiting and thinking about the process. Dr. Lewis reassured me about the process. I finally agreed to have my right hip surgery done at the Minnesota Valley Surgery Center. As soon as I checked in, I was put at ease. The first nurse I talked to (without being prompted) acknowledged my anxiety and said it would be addressed. A short time later, I met with the Anesthesiologist. He too, without being prompted, said he knew of my anxiety and would take care of me. I was given some pills and was very comfortable leading up to my arrival at the operating room. I don’t remember a lot about the surgery itself but the rest of my stay at the Surgery Center was very comfortable.

They were a great and caring nursing staff. The entire visit, from the home nurse to the physical therapist, went smoothly. My follow up visit with Libby Witchger and Dr. Lewis went well and truly, the entire process went so well. I am considering have my other hip done as soon as I can. My biggest concern was the pre-surgery anxiety but because of the caring and concerned staff, it was barely noticeable.

Dr. Bjerke is an understanding, non-ageist physician. I received great news and care from him!

KS95’s Ryan is one of the most well-known radio personalities in Minnesota, but for 7 years, he hid a painful secret from listeners.

Ryan’s hips had gotten so bad, he could no longer walk. At his breaking point, Ryan turned to TCO, a decision that would change his life.

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!

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.

At just 52 years old, Margaret was shocked and scared to realize both of her hips were deteriorating.

A long-long practitioner of karate and a recent CrossFit enthusiast, this active mom realized she couldn’t live with the pain any longer, especially when she could barely walk.

After visiting Dr. Ryan Horazdovsky at Twin Cities Orthopedics, Margaret felt confident a double hip replacement was the right move for her.

“A lot of patients who come to me in their 40’s or early 50’s are concerned they’re too young,” Dr. Horazdovsky said. “They’re very nervous about the idea of having a hip replacement. But, I want patients to find comfort in the idea that a total hip replacement is likely one of the best surgeries in medicine.”

Almost immediately after surgery, Margaret’s pain was gone, and now she’s back enjoying the activities she loves — pain free. For her, this decision was “the best (she) ever made,” and she now feels like she has a new lease on life.

I couldn’t walk after breaking my hip; but now, after surgery with Dr. Kelly, I am back to bicycling 300 miles a week when the weather allows.

Pre-op and post-op for my hip replacement surgery went very well. The surgery staff and hospital staff in Stillwater were above excellent. I will likely need my other hip done at some point in the future. Dr. Knowlan will be my first choice!

Dr. Owen O’Neill and his team did a phenomenal job restoring me to my previous activities, pain-free. After 2 surgeries to replace both hips and 3.5 months of healing, I returned to biking, walked without impediment and resumed daily activities – like putting on socks with ease. As the healing continues, I look forward to returning to cross-country skiing and rollerblading. On the journey, Dr. O’Neill and his staff answered my many questions about the procedure and pre and post-op preparations. Most impressively, the surgery:

• Allowed me to walk the same day of the surgery
• Required only 1 incision
• Cut no muscle
• Involved zero narcotics for the pain; only some Tylenol for a couple of weeks following

Many thanks to Dr. O’Neill and his staff for all the help, patience, skill and expertise they brought to return me to a more active life!

After four years of gradually decreasing range of motion and increasing hip pain, I found that Dr. Horazdovsky was very supportive once I decided to have surgery. He told me what I could anticipate and provided help and resources in my healing. In retrospect, I should have done it much earlier. I would heartily recommend him.