Patient Testimonials

I am a 73 year-old, active female who loves to snow ski, hike, wake surf, dance, and walk. Two years ago, I had a skiing accident out west that resulted in a horrific ankle sprain, but much to the surprise of my orthopedic care givers, there was no blown out knee and no broken leg. Thank god for my strong bones. I wore a boot during healing, but the docs didn’t prescribe physical therapy (PT), explaining that “most people don’t do it anyhow.” Then last year I had another skiing accident, where I was bucked off a ski lift at a local Minnesota hill, resulting in a severe hip contusion, but again, no broken bones. This time, I was prescribed PT, and I asked that they include my ankle in the RX for my hip. The first thing that saved me was meeting Beth Pesta, DPT. She and her team helped me recover from my hip injury and helped strengthen my ankle. The workouts were great at the clinic, and they gave me a detailed program for at home. As I completed PT, Beth recommended trainer Laurey Heinrich, CPT. I signed up and began training with Laurey last June. I was afraid that when she saw me, all that she would see was an overweight grey-haired old grandma, but it wasn’t long before she realized the activities I wanted to continue to do for years to come, and she started pushing me to gain strength. I have seen Laurey twice a week since June, and the results are showing! She has worked my entire body including flexibility and balance, and has made me stronger all over. In early August, I finally attempted to wake surf. I was unsure that I’d be able to get up, but I POPPED out of the water and enjoyed several great rides before the season was over. I continued to train to hike, starting with a mile, but eventually going for longer and longer hikes. And then ski season loomed. I had no interest in skiing until the ground was at least covered, and man made snow isn’t the best, but when I did start, I skied with more strength and vigor than I had even before my injuries. I was strong. I was more flexible than I had been, and my joints didn’t hurt. This PT and particularly the strength training has given me more years of being active, just how I’d always planned and hoped to age.

I was unable to walk without pain for many years due to the pain in my foot. Dr. Scallon performed the fusion surgery, eliminating pain and allowing me to resume hiking, a favorite past time of mine. Three weeks after surgery, I was able to hike various trails over in Zion National Park (wearing a boot), each hike being over two miles in length and 200+ feet in elevation change. It was night and day from the previous five years where I was extremely limited in my mobility. Dr. Scallon was very attentive to all of my concerns both pre- and post-surgery. I would highly recommend Dr. Scallon for any issue involving your feet or ankles!

I’ve had lumbar pain, stenosis, and herniation that I’ve been dealing with for over thirty years from the hazards of life as a paratrooper when I was a young man. Dr. Davis provided succinct, experienced advice that was informative and helpful. He also did not recommend surgery, which was more helpful in my case. As the adage says for the physician, “first, do no harm.” Dr. Davis places the patient’s well-being above everything else. Thank you!

Dr. Moeller is an expert on elbows. She did a thorough exam and recommended a test on my nerves first. After the tests, she recommended the surgery and explained the process in detail. The surgery went extremely well, and her team called the following day to ensure I was doing well. I had two follow up visits and after 8 weeks my arm and fingers have no nerve issues or numbness. I highly recommend Dr. Moeller and team.

Dr. Ridley performed knee surgery on my high-school aged daughter and has been thorough in every sense along the way. This was my daughter’s third knee surgery (the first two by other surgeons), so we had many questions, and it made things a bit more complicated. We live in the Duluth area but working with Dr. Ridley has been nothing but positive and absolutely worth the extra travel. He is a clear communicator, and prompt for all appointment times, answers questions well, and we couldn’t be happier with the surgery results. We really feel he is an incredibly attentive physician. Thank you, Dr. Ridley, for such a positive experience!

Dr. Wu has treated me for 10 years and has saved my life multiple times when other doctors have missed diagnosed or not diagnosed problems that could have been fatal. I suffer from multiple chronic autoimmune diseases. Dr. Wu has worked with drug manufacturers and insurance companies to approve multiple biologic medicines at once that have never been approved together before. His tenacity to do what is needed for his patients is unbelievable. When he sees the opportunity for his patients to have a better chance at quality of life, he is willing to fight on their behalf.

I was having a lot of lower back pain, with sciatica pain in the buttocks and down both legs and mostly on right side. I started treatment with Dr. Megan Rhyner. Some days I felt better than others. The injection started to feel better but that only lasted a week. So we proceeded to the next step and I met with Dr. Wanderman. I thought surgery would be a better option and boy it was a great choice. Immediately after surgery, the pain and sciatica pain disappeared. I recovered in the Eagan EXCEL Care Suites and had nothing but great care from TCO. I have nothing but great results from the surgery and have had great checkups with Dr. Wanderman. I’m coming up on my 6 month checkup and I believe all lifting restrictions will be taken away. If you are looking for a great doctor and team, Dr. Wanderman would be the ticket for great results.

Dr. Engasser and his team are the best! Before my ankle replacement I could hardly walk or sleep at night due to the pain. Now I am pain free and doing the thing I like to do most, walking!

I recently came to Dr. Ridley to follow up after a fall on the leg that he had repaired. I appreciate Dr. Ridley’s honest approach to care; he is also very thorough. I will continue to recommend him for his professionalism and excellent care.

I cannot say how thankful I am for Dr. Wanderman and his wonderful team! Everyone in Dr. Wanderman’s group at TCO played an important role in getting me back to my best self! I injured my L5-S1 disc 20 years ago, with intermittent conservative treatment I was mostly okay  for a long time. In recent years, I had increasing pain and new areas of pain that would not diminish even with the best conservative treatment and significant weight loss. Dr. Wanderman and Kesenya walked me through the surgery itself and the insurance timeline getting there. I had full trust in them to proceed. My surgery was uneventful and I woke up with no more pain shooting down my legs or into my hips! My low back aches have stopped as well. I sleep SO much better now.

I met PA, Megan, at my post-op who is another amazing person at TCO. She has been instrumental in explaining everything post-op related and is always great to meet with. She answers all my questions! All in all, I cannot say enough good about Dr. Wanderman and his people. I have referred several people to Dr. Wanderman and will continue to do so. Thank you all!