Patient Testimonials

I want to thank Dr. Harris for being willing to schedule me for surgery on his day off, when he and his family were trying to leave for Florida. I was a brand new patient he had never met. I am astounded at his kindness and generosity. Immediate surgery was the best Christmas present I have ever received. Also, many thanks to his family who allowed him to do my surgery that day. I was in pain and not sleeping well since my injury in November 2022. Initially, I was told the surgery could take a few weeks to be scheduled. I was going to be patient and wait for my surgery, but I didn’t understand that my broken disc could move and cause the possible loss of bladder and bowel function. I am an active person and definitely would have done something to make that worse. My family and I are so grateful for Dr. Harris. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

My “back” story started in February 2022. My pain started in my right hip and radiated down my right leg. As the weeks went by, the pain in my right hip and leg continued to increase. The pain increased to the point that it became very difficult to get out bed, stand from a sitting position, or walk any distance longer than a block. I attempted other treatment options, including Chiropractic treatments, to try and relieve the pain with no success. I turned to Twin Cities Orthopedics for help. I was diagnosed with instability at L 4-5, which shocked me since I had no back pain. I had a spinal injection, oral steroids, and physical therapy. These produced mild improvement but the pain returned. I met with Dr. Hoel and immediately felt confident in him. He had extensively reviewed my case and images and explained to me point by point what was going on with my back. We discussed my options and his recommendations. I felt it was a real patient-doctor relationship keeping my best interest in mind. I’m very pleased with the outcome of my surgery and with the care I received from Dr. Hoel and his staff. I would highly recommend him. He will take very good care of you!

I had back surgery on November 8, 2022 by Dr. Rick Davis. He performed an anterior interbody lumbar spinal fusion cage on my back because I have degenerative disc disease. So far I am doing well on my recovery. I think he did a wonderful job.

In August 2022, I had surgery to fuse my L5 to S1 vertebrae. I went to a few surgeons before selecting Dr. Hoel. I felt like just another case to the other surgeons. Dr. Hoel was different. He fully listened to me to determine the root cause of my back and leg pain. I felt like an actual person. The surgery went very well! I feel great post-surgery. I am so glad I chose Dr. Hoel.

I cannot say enough great things about the staff, procedure, after care, all of it! I moved to Texas and flew specifically back to Minnesota just to have my surgery here and I’m so glad I did. Dr. Crowe, his care team at the surgery center and all the nurses at the excel program care suites, everyone was so accommodating and kind. It made my anxiety about the procedure so much less and I am healing so much better because of the care I received!

I have struggled with lower back pain for years. Two months ago, I developed severe sciatica to the point I couldn’t walk and numbness in my left foot. I left the ER with pain medications but no real answers (an x-ray was done rather than an MRI). My children and I have all seen physicians at TCO for various orthopedic care, so I called right away and got an appointment in just a few days. Dr. Omar knew exactly was the problem was and ordered an MRI to confirm that I had a herniated disc at L5 which was causing nerve impingement, the pain and numbness form my left lower back and down my left leg. When I had no improvement with an epidural, surgery was the next step. Julie, Dr. Omar’s care coordinator, is wonderful! She worked with me and I was able to get my surgery scheduled in less than two weeks! The hospital staff were fantastic, and Dr. Omar was reassuring both before and after my surgery. He always took the time to make sure my questions were answered and follow up care is scheduled ahead of time, in order to eliminate wait times in my treatment and recovery. I highly recommend Dr. Omar and his staff!

When I started having shooting pains in my hip and leg, I wasn’t sure where to go. Started with my family doctor and ended up at TCO talking to Dr. Deal. I had an MRI, which showed a pinching of nerves in the lower back from bone spurs. Went through an outpatient surgery within their facility and was back home within half a day. What impressed me the most was this was diagnosed and taken care of within 6 weeks. Just a great facility, fantastic people, and no more pain. I appreciate the process that made it as simple as possible for me, and the professionalism shown by everyone that helped me. Five stars!

After living with chronic back pain for over 20 years, I finally decided to seek help. After meeting with Dr. Wanderman, I found out that my scoliosis had worsened over 25 years to a 55-degree curve and included two herniated disks. Normal daily tasks had become extremely painful and I was preparing myself to accept that living with this pain was something I was going to have to do. Dr. Wanderman changed my life. He is professional, he listens, gives honest feedback, and is an advocate for his patients. My case was major. It included consulting other medical professionals, two surgeries and seven days in the hospital. I am now six months post op and I have zero (I never thought I would say that) back pain. Thanks to Dr. Wanderman, I can enjoy the things I love; spending time with my family, gardening, traveling, hiking, biking and so much more. This Doctor deserves so much praise, he saved my life!

Dr. Michalik’s ablation procedure in my spinal lumbar was such a great success, and I can sleep at night for the first time in many, many years! I would recommend scheduling an appointment with Dr. Michalik for a consultation for the ablation procedure to anyone suffering from nerve pain.

Last Summer I ended up having several surgeries on my back to alleviate a double herniation at my S1/L5. I happen to have a tattoo right where the incisions had to go. Dr. Garry Banks is a MASTER surgeon. You can barely see the scar, he didn’t cut right thru the tattoo and he got the herniation out too. I show everyone and brag about him. 10/10 would recommend!!!