Patient Testimonials

I am one month out from a total hip replacement through the TCO EXCEL program. From the start of my visit at TCO Stillwater Orthopedic Urgent Care, to check-in at the High Pointe Surgical Center, and finally on to my ride down from the EXCEL Care Suites at the Omni Hotel at Viking Lakes, I found each step of the process nothing short of an incredible display of excellence. Every person I encountered from start to finish exhibited such passion for their work. At each stop, my physical and emotional needs were attended to with great care.

From the time Dr. Meisterling recommended surgery and told me my journey in the EXCEL program would be a successful one, I felt I was in the right place. Of course he was spot on! I felt more at ease undergoing this major surgery then I have with some dental work. I like to think that if you saw me now, you would not believe I am a hip replacement patient. Am I pleased? I AM. I feel blessed to have come upon TCO, Dr. Meisterling and the EXCEL program. Consider me delighted with the program, the people, the process and the success!

Dr. Bircher is awesome. After falling and breaking my hip previously, a surgeon at another practice repaired my hip using three screws. That repair just didn’t heal properly. I was then referred to Dr. Bircher. He evaluated the situation and recommended a total hip replacement as a second surgery to remove the screws and put in a new hip. The recovery went as expected and I am now virtually pain free and recovering on schedule. Dr. Bircher has excellent “bedside manners” and is not only good at what he does, but seems to enjoy what he does. Thank you so much Dr. Bircher, you are my hero.

I was referred to Dr. Bircher for my hip joint infection. He was very compassionate about my situation and proceeded to fix the infection. It started with a spacer that included antibiotics and two different IV antibiotics for 6 weeks. We made sure infection was cleared up and then proceeded with my second total hip replacement. I am optimistic and feel good about this one. Thank you Dr. Bircher.

Last year, I had a hip replacement with Dr. Chris Meyer, and it was one of the best things I ever did. I had such a great experience with Dr. Meyer, his staff, and the EXCEL Program, so I decided to bite the bullet and have my left knee replaced since it was bothering me for some time.

One of my passions is golf so I needed to time the surgery and recovery before summer and a golf trip that was planned. The surgery went well, and I followed the doctor’s orders to a ‘T’.  I was ready to hit the links!  I cannot thank Dr. Meyer for the care I received. I highly recommend TCO. They are the best!

I have suffered from hip discomfort for years. At only 45 years of age, I could barely walk and I was in so much discomfort. I saw a few surgeons but it was Dr. O’Neill that had the knowledge and experience which made me choose him to perform my surgery. His demeanor is calm and kind, and his team was also amazing in making me feel so comfortable. I am very thankful for the talent he has and that I am able to enjoy daily activities again. Thank you to Dr. O’Neill and his team!

Dr. Ockuly replaced my husband’s hip, and did an outstanding job. My husband was walking without a cane in just a few weeks. Not only did the surgery go well, but we were so pleased with Dr. Ockuly’s care for his patients and the time he takes with each one of them to make sure they have a good experience and great result. The entire team with Dr. Ockuly is truly great. We are very thankful for their outstanding expertise and caring manner.

I met Dr. Ockuly over a year ago at TCO River Falls. After completing X-rays and an MRI, it was determined that I needed to have a total hip replacement for my right hip. Dr. Ockuly and his staff were friendly, professional, on-time, efficient and willing to help in any way possible. Due to being a diabetic, my surgery was postponed until May of 2023 until my A1C was below 8. The surgery was a success. I no longer need to use a walker and am back riding my HD motorcycle within 6 weeks after my surgery. Thank you so very much Dr. Ockuly. You are a world class surgeon!

My hip replacement experience was made so much easier with the information I received prior to the surgery. The guidebook for hips was so informative and useful. I followed all of the steps needed before and after surgery, which made everything go so smoothly. Doing the physical therapy before and after surgery made healing go so fast as well. Being 75 years old I thought the recovery would take a long time but 18 days after surgery, I am walking without the use of a walker or cane. I truly believe all of the information I received contributed to my fast recovery. I can’t thank Dr. Morgenstern and TCO enough.

Dr. Schmiesing replaced both of my hips this year. He’s kind, compassionate, and he listens. I would highly recommend him to anyone. I had little to no pain after surgery and no complications. I’m excited to be pain free and have my life back again. Thank you!

I have been struggling with hip pain for over a decade. I saw a provider who told me I was too young for a hip replacement and recommended physical therapy instead. That didn’t work, and actually made the pain worse since I had dysplasia and a bone spur that was contributing to the pain. Six years later (at age 44) I was limping around my friend’s cabin and we started talking about what I could do to fix the problem. It turns out another friend’s husband recently had his hip replaced and was very happy with the results. His surgeon was Dr. Owen O’Neill, so I asked my primary for a referral. As soon as Dr. O’Neill saw my X-ray, he said “I can fix that”. I was so relieved to hear him say that a hip replacement did not have to wait until I was 50 as I was so tired of being in massive pain almost every day. Three months later I had the surgery done and I have not had any pain since. It was truly a life changing event. I can walk now without pain, and have started working out again. I can actually do squats lower than I have been able to in many years! I’m looking forward to a summer running around outside with my kids too. The healing has been fantastic. I couldn’t be happier!