Patient Testimonials

My family has been surrounded by support from Twin Cities Orthopedics and their staff this year. My husband had a successful knee replacement with Dr. TJ Panek’s staff in the EXCEL program. The organization, communication, and outstanding care provided from start to finish could not have been better. A knee replacement is not a minor procedure, but his surgery and recovery have been incredibly smooth and supported.

Our older son injured his shoulder during his high school football season. His school’s TCO sports trainer, Julia West, has been supporting him through every step of his recovery as he prepares for his final high school baseball season. Our younger son dislocated his kneecap this fall and initially tried rehab through physical therapy. When it became apparent that therapy wasn’t going to be the solution, Dr. Christopher Larson reassured him that surgery would provide the pathway to getting his goals back on track.

We’ve spent quite a lot of time this year interacting with many healthcare providers at TCO and every experience has felt like we were their main priority. From scheduling to record keeping to PT to imaging to surgical care coordinators to doctors, our experience has been outstanding and the recovery outcomes positive. I would highly recommend TCO to anyone looking for orthopedic care for themselves or their family.

Carly Mattson taught my parents and I a lot about concussions, how to prevent them, and when to come back to see her. She adjusted everything based on my sports and my past concussions. These exercises helped me recover and perform better after I was cleared to return. She has truly helped calm my family’s fears and given us so much more knowledge regarding concussions. We learned what it takes for my to properly recover immediately and long-term.

I was recently under the care of Dr. Marek for surgery on my wrist because of osteoarthritis. I cannot express enough how unbelievable he and his team are. From the initial consultation to the final post-op appointment, they were all very caring and clearly had my best interests in mind. TCO has a top-notch reputation in the Twin Cities metro area. I guarantee that Dr. Marek and all the staff that helped me are a major contributor to that very reputation.

I am so grateful to have had such an amazing orthopedic surgeon as Dr. Lewis. My left knee was extremely crooked and would bend towards the left severely. It was very painful. Dr. Lewis and his team, including Elizabeth (Libby) Witchger, performed the surgery on 2/19/26. After only three weeks of physical therapy, the pain was almost completely gone. As of today, 2/26/26, I have no more pain and my leg is straight.

I am 57 years old. I have always played sports and working out is an important part of my life. As I got into my 50’s, my left knee was in pain after I did any kind of running or squatting. After X-rays revealed a deteriorating meniscus, I started getting cortisone and hyaluronic acid injections. Last year the efficacy of those treatments wore off, and the next step was a total knee replacement. After consulting with my orthopedic doctor, she recommended me to Dr. Bircher. I felt comfortable immediately upon meeting him. The next time I saw him was the morning of my surgery and he made me feel comfortable about the procedure. He offered to pray for me prior to the surgery which made me feel like I was in the best hands. When I was recovering after the surgery, he stopped by to check on me and answered all the questions I had.

The first 2-3 weeks were hard for me, and I struggled see a future where I would fully recover. Dr. Bircher ensured me that things would work out if I kept consistent with physical therapy. He was right! Three months later, I am back at my gym. I am scaling back some of the things I used to do, but I am amazed at how good my knee feels. If you are considering a knee replacement, I highly recommend Dr. Bircher. Stay on the path with rehab and be patient. It made a huge difference for me. I thank God every day for bringing Dr. Bircher into my life. I am forever grateful!

Dr. Michael R Johnson and his team did an exceptional job on my rotator cuff surgery and recovery. The professionalism and care went beyond what I was expecting. I am so appreciative for all their efforts. I highly recommend Dr. Johnson for your health care needs.

Dr. Scott Anseth and his team at Twin Cities Orthopedics performed my left knee replacement almost seven years ago and my right knee replacement in February 2025. I am back to playing golf and pickleball because my walking is normal again. His team is so professional and personable. They truly listen to your concerns. The day I had surgery, Dr. Anseth came up to my EXCEL recovery suite during the evening to check on me and have a bedside chat. After the long day, that visit really put me at ease. I would highly recommend TCO, Dr. Anseth, and his assistant Heidi Bolgren to anyone who is considering knee surgery. To me, they are the best in the business!

I want to say a big thank you to Dr. Ockuly, Anne Merrill, Josh the anesthetist, and the entire wonderful staff at TCO River Falls. Every time I go downstairs to workout in my home gym, I pain-free and forever grateful!  As you know, working out with intensity at 70 years old is not an option but a necessity. I can remain metabolically healthy because you fixed my hips. You cannot put a price on what you did for me. Thank you to Dr. Ockuly and his team! God Bless!

When I got hit in the head at school last fall, at first, I didn’t know how bad it really was. The next few days I had bad headaches, felt irritable, had trouble focusing, felt dizzy, and was very tired. My mom suspected I had a concussion. She knew I needed someone who specialized in sports concussions, so she took me to Twin Cities Orthopedics and I started physical therapy with Carly Mattson.

I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, but she was very kind and explained what she was going to do before she did it. She did tons of testing and was able to figure out how to help me with my focus. She gave me specific exercises that I could easily do at school or at home. She was always understanding when I couldn’t do some of the exercises because I was tired or dizzy. She was very considerate about what I was going through and never made me feel bad if I was having an off day.

After seeing Carly every week for about six weeks, I made enough progress to be discharged from PT and return to gymnastics. Going from practicing 18 hours a week at the gym to suddenly feeling like I couldn’t even get through the school day was devastating. There were days I wanted to quit, but I couldn’t imagine not doing the sport I love. Carly did an amazing job coaching me through my home exercise program. She was encouraging and always reminded me that I would ultimately be stronger than I was before. And she was right!

After using the return to gymnastics protocol Carly provided, I got back to training. Less than a month later, my hard work and patience paid off. I was able to compete all four events at a meet in Kansas City, Missouri where I placed 2nd in the All -Around and my team placed 1st!

I am so grateful for Carly and everything she did to help me heal from my concussion. A month earlier, I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to start my season, but she made that possible. She helped me to be patient, and to stay positive through this very tough injury. I am so thankful we found Carly and have already recommended her to a teammate of mine. I would recommend her and TCO to anyone who experiences a concussion and wants to get back to the sport they love. A big thank you to Carly and TCO!

Since I first began treatment with Twin Cities Orthopedics, I have been impressed by the organization, especially the efficiency and professionalism of the people working at the TCO Edina. I want to recognize the doctors, nurses, and TCO staff involved in my knee replacement surgery on February 19, 2026, at the Two Twelve Surgery Center.

Dr. Anseth is simply outstanding! He is friendly, direct with his explanations, and has a wonderful bedside manner. Although I am unable to specifically remember the names of the surgical team members, what I do remember is all positive treatment from them. The radiologist, the assisting surgeon, and the nurses were all great and I appreciated their good work.

Finally, I want to specifically praise the work of the nurses connected to the EXCEL overnight patient suites. They are rock stars! Sarah, Kate, and Mary Beth did great work and made sure my short stay was memorable. They were extremely attentive to my needs but also made the experience “fun” with their pleasant conversation and humor. I am in no hurry to need another surgery done, but if I do, I want them taking care of me.

In summary, thank you TCO for the good work and positive experience.