Patient Testimonials

My hip replacement went off without a hitch. I was up and walking the afternoon following surgery. Within two weeks I was walking a half mile a day. Within three weeks, 2 to 3 miles a day. Dr. O’Neill and his staff answered all my questions. The care staff at Fairview hospital was outstanding. My whole experience was very positive.

I have been seeing Dr. Gary Sager for a year now. I had a left total hip replacement a year ago and I am 100% pain free and walk normal with absolutely no kind of limp. He and his staff are amazing! I was so scared to have surgery and tried all kinds of alternatives before finally biting the bullet and scheduling my surgery. Dr. Sager is very thorough and so compassionate! I cannot say enough good things about him and his staff. Thank you for giving my life and well-being back to me!

Sincerely,
Carol

Dr. Crowe was able to repair my broken left femur. It was a very bad break. Previously, my doctor from the VA told me if I ever broke my leg that I would never walk and probably end up in a nursing home, bed ridden. I was told no pins or rods could be installed to prevent the leg from more damage or breaking.

The night I went to the ER, after my fall, I talked to my surgeon, Dr. Crowe. He assured me he could have me walking in approximately 4 weeks. I am now getting around with a cane, moving slow, but I’m moving including walking stairs! When I first get up after sitting or lying down for a while, I’m very stiff. After a short period of time, I’m moving around with very little pain. I just take my time and walk slowly. As of today, not much has changed, I still have swelling and some pain, but I am still getting around and doing things that I thought I would never be able to do any more, including living in my own home. Thanks to Dr. Crowe, I feel I have a future now and hope to continue my life independently. My plans are to never give up.

After months of pain from lifting a sofa while moving and hearing a “pop” and feeling immediate weakness in my shoulder, I sought out Dr. Hartman, who had done numerous shoulder surgeries on parents of students whom I teach (mainly torn rotator cuff). I suspected a rotator cuff injury, but Dr. Hartman ordered an MRI and diagnosed a labrum tear. He prescribed physical therapy and my PT was fantastic! I attended every appointment, faithfully did my exercises at home and worked through the pain (yes, there were tears, but I was motivated to have as much use of my shoulder as possible!). After I “graduated” from PT, I continued to lift very light weights and use stretchy bands that my PT suggested at LifeTime Fitness. Years later, I still have NO problems with my shoulder and it’s just as strong as my other one! I can work out, lift weights and do Pilates without any problem. I’ve also learned how to protect my shoulders by carrying heavy objects in a different way so this does not occur again. Dr. Hartman combines the expertise and knowledge of being board certified with a comfortable bedside manner and treated me with respect. He gave me straightforward answers and told me what I needed to do to avoid surgery. Everything he suggested worked and I have recommended him to others!

I am a 52 year old male who is very active and also an ex-college wrestler. I put up with my hip pain for a few years just toughing it out and taking Advil. I exhausted every avenue to delay or rehab my hip. I had seen Dr. Holm for a shoulder injury years prior and was very impressed by his thoroughness and honesty. So when it was time to have the hip done, he was my first choice, both from prior experience as well as trusted referrals. Dr. Holm uses a robotic assist which helps place the new hip more accurately.

I had my total hip replacement (left hip) done at the MN Valley Surgery Center in Burnsville, MN. The staff was great and had me on my feet as soon as I was out of recovery. I had minimal discomfort and no issues with any of the incisions.

Mile stones:
Walking same day as surgery
Walking stairs first day after surgery
Walking with cane 4 days after surgery
No pain meds besides Advil 6 days post-surgery
Driving 8 days post-surgery (wife wouldn’t let me any earlier)
No assist walking 13 days post-surgery
Exercise recumbent bike 21 days post-surgery
Moderate cardio on exercise bike 30 days post-surgery
I did do my physical therapy as prescribed every day

The home care nurse who stops to check on you for the first three days did send me to the emergency room because she thought I looked pale and had a slight fever. She also notified Dr. Holm’s office. To my wife and I’s surprise, while sitting in the ER room, the curtain opens and Dr. Holm walks in to check on me. The small spike in fever was completely unrelated to the surgery. But how many doctors would drive to a different hospital to check on a patient? I will likely need the other hip replaced and I will definitely be going back to Dr. Holm.

I was not happy to break both my wrists at the same time, but I was very thankful to land at TCO and under Dr. David Gesensways’s care. He explained my options, the surgeries, the recovery and all pertinent details clearly. His staff and the TCO surgery staff were considerate and kept up the concise discussion of needed preparations and follow through. Julie was great in the physical therapy department and I was a studious PT patient. After two months I am healed and ready to return to my busy and active life. I cannot say enough positive things about Dr. Gesensway, his medical and surgical expertise, empathetic manner and the staff that supports him. Thank you sooooo much!

I am an active 67-year old. I first broke and dislocated my ankle over forty years ago. For the past 15 years, I have had constant swelling and severe pain. About three months ago, Dr. Scott McGarvey performed a total ankle replacement on this injured joint. After three months, I am already almost pain free and have far more range of motion than I did before surgery.

Dr. McGarvey is personable and thorough. He explains himself in easy to understand terms. His staff is kind and exceptional. The surgery and recovery was far easier than I had feared. This was one of the best decisions of my life. The ability to regain my mobility is giving me a new lease on life. Thanks Dr. McGarvey, Rhodora, and Laura!
– John

Dr. Tim Panek and his staff, as well as the EXCEL program staff and PT gals, were wonderful. I had both hips replaced during 2019. The first in February; the second in June. Everything was explained to me before/during/after the surgeries. And if I had questions, I would call and get immediate answers. The PT clinched it. So important to help me gain back my strength and return to my normal activity level, including walking, hiking, biking, Jazzercise (for 26 years!), and simply, LIFE! I would highly recommend Dr. Panek!

I’ve had numerous issues for several years related to osteoarthritis in both knees. TCO did a good job responding to flare-ups and kept me going for as long as my knees would allow. But as my 60th birthday approached, bringing with it my retirement, I wanted to take more definitive action to put the flare-ups behind me and ensure I was fully able to enjoy the very active retirement plans ahead of me.

With the decision to go for a bilateral total knee replacement, the EXCEL program made great sense. The program provided a ton of information, clearly set my expectations and prepared me for the surgery and recovery. It took me from planning through surgery, overnight recovery, physical therapy and all follow-up appointments. It was a true team approach and absolutely comprehensive.

My team, led by Dr. Kelly, was fantastic. His PA, the nurses, PTs, anesthesiologists, office professionals, and even the van driver, were all very attentive and great at what they do. It’s now been nearly 10 months since my first surgery and nearly 8 months since the second TKR. I walk several miles daily, I’m doing all the things I used to do before my knees turned against me, and I‘m enjoying the retirement activity I‘d been looking forward to. The rehab wasn’t the most fun I’ve ever had, but it was completely manageable and I have no regrets. If I had to do it again, I’d go right back to Dr. Kelly and the EXCEL program.

I had to have my left hip replaced at only 52 years old. I was scared to do it but Dr. Peterson seemed to really have an understanding of what was needed and was able to put my mind at ease. The surgery went very well and everyone at the Fairview Hospital in Wyoming was fantastic. I needed to be able to get back to work in the gardens and on the tractor as soon as possible. The gardening took a little longer but I was able to get on the mower and tractor by weeks two and three (with a little help from my husband). My one year check-up was this past summer and it’s like I never even had hip trouble.