Patient Testimonials

I had gone in to TCO for arm numbness and was hoping to get a PT referral. I was not expecting to find out I needed a cervical fusion and was very surprised in the office to find out I was going to have a major surgery. This was due to the fact that I had spinal cord impingement on MRI. I was scared and nervous. Dr. Harris and his NP, Lisa Benedetto, spent time answering all my questions. I never felt rushed or hurried along during my appts. On the day of surgery, Dr. Harris stopped in to see me before surgery and spent time talking with me about what to expect during/after surgery. He wasn’t rushed at all and made me feel more comfortable. The surgery itself was honestly easier than I was expecting. I had numbness in my left arm almost all the time before surgery. After surgery, this has completely resolved. Pain management was very good after surgery. They were clear on restrictions and possible side effects from surgery, so I knew what to expect at every stage. Jenny, the care coordinator, was able to help me to coordinate disability with my employer and was very helpful. She answered questions left on voicemail or via email in a timely manner. I did call to ask a question a few weeks after surgery, and the response time getting back to me was very short. Staff at TCO is all great, but this team (Dr Harris, Lisa Benedetto, and Jenny) all surpassed my expectations. I would 100% recommend this doctor for any issues involving your spinal cord, neck, or back.

Dr. Neil Johnson and Tad Tewes, PA-C make an excellent team! I had both hips replaced within 2 years. The surgery and recovery went exceptionally well, thanks to them.

The entire experience was fantastic! My surgery with Dr. Arntson went great and my whole care team was phenomenal. I was walking immediately and was relatively pain free within 10 to 14 days. It’s been 6 weeks since my surgery and there’s virtually nothing I can’t do, and all of it is pain free. Everything was fantastic!

Thank you for making this procedure so much easier than I had anticipated. Every stage of my surgery and recovery was professional and I would recommend Dr. Meyer and his team without any hesitation!

After delaying the hip replacement for six years, I now know what a mistake that procrastination was. Walking within hours of the surgery and even climbing stairs was a pleasant surprise and bonus with only 24+ hours in the hospital. The considerate, professional preparation and follow up, involving all aspects related to the surgery was beyond my expectations. I have already referred three acquaintances to Dr. O’Neill and will consistently advocate for his approach to this problem. My recovery has been without incidence and a pleasure under his staff’s guidance. Don’t put off your chance to be ‘renewed’……this is a professional team that knows what they’re doing.

I was quite worried about having my knee replacement surgery for a few reasons: We only have an upstairs bathroom, we farm, and I worried about being able to get in and out of equipment, pain after surgery, and the list goes on. I discussed the bathroom issue with both Dr. Mair and Cody, his physician assistant, prior to surgery and was assured I’d be taught how to manage the stairs prior to going home after surgery. I was taught how to do stairs, one at a time at first, and it wasn’t difficult. I had a discussion with Dr. Mair prior to my surgery about pain management and I was pleasantly surprised. As far as getting in and out of farm equipment, I was using a skid loader (anyone who has used one knows they aren’t the easiest to get in and out of) three months after surgery with no issues. I just cannot say enough great things about how my knee replacement surgery and aftercare went, and there were so many people that helped me be successful. First, Dr. Mair and his team at TCO and the surgery center told me what to expect (no sugar-coating), performed the surgery, and gave me FABULOUS after-care! Then the work really began at TCO Therapy and Sports Performance in Waconia where I did all my physical therapy. WOW, WOW, WOW – they are so great! The atmosphere there is one of the most positive I have every experienced. Even the therapists you aren’t working closely with are helpful. My physical therapists helped me get started with my therapy and showed me what I needed to do to get great results. My favorite part is that even though I came in with a walker (necessary for a short time following surgery), they treated me like a whole person, not invalid. Maybe that’s not vital for everyone, but I noticed it right away and it made a huge difference in how my mind dealt with this. My physical therapy package also included ten sessions of “on my own therapy”, with specific exercises that I did at the therapy center, and a program called Total Joint. I would describe this as transitioning from post-surgery to real life. They helped me so much and I took advantage of everything included with my therapy package. I cannot say enough how important physical therapy and home exercises are. I don’t think anyone should be “pushed” into receiving a joint replacement because it’s a very personal decision and you need to be ready, but I am so glad I had mine done! Be prepared to work HARD, even before you leave the hospital or surgery center, and then EVEN HARDER as you begin your out-patient therapy and exercises at home. It pays off! A little extra benefit I had, which I believe is a result of my knee replacement, is that my cholesterol lowered by almost 100 points! I haven’t been able to go for walks for several years and it was to a point where a statin was being recommended, which I didn’t want to use a statin. I couldn’t start walking outside until a couple months after surgery, because it was icy, but I started ASAP, and am really enjoying that again!

Thank you, Dr. Bakker! I can’t say enough about the excellent care that I have received from you and your staff. I am always treated with the utmost respect from you and everyone in the TCO organization. I highly recommend TCO!

Dr. Gerlach took the time before my surgery to explain the procedure and answered all my questions about before, during and after surgery. I did everything he told me to do and today I have no more numbness, pain, or scars. He made the whole thing so much easier than I had anticipated. He is amazing!

After suffering a torn and displaced labrum, tearing my bicep, and fracturing my shoulder in a ski mountaineering accident, Dr. Johnson surgically repaired my shoulder, resetting the labrum, removing a bone fragment from my shoulder socket, and repairing my bicep. Given the severity and complexity of the injury, the pre-surgical prognosis was a hope to regain most, but not all, use of the shoulder. The surgery was tremendously successful. One year later, I have regained nearly 100% range of motion and my strength is returning. Dr. Johnson did a truly remarkable job!

Had my follow-up with Dr. Norberg seven months after surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and I’m delighted at the progress I’ve made in such a short time. My range of motion is back, and pain is pretty much gone. Still recovering but feeling great. Dr. Norberg and the surgery and physical therapy team at TCO were amazing and I’m deeply grateful for their expert care. For anyone living with shoulder pain, I highly recommend starting here!