Patient Testimonials

My wrist surgery, performed by Dr. Bakker, was about as smooth as a surgical procedure could go. The surgery center was very efficient and organized. Most importantly, Dr. Bakker was excellent. I am very appreciative of his work and happy with the outcome

I suffered my injury last summer on a vacation weekend to the Upper Pennisula. We were visiting family and enjoying a little “heaven on earth”, as my brother lives on a beautiful piece of property right on the shores of Lake Michigan / Big Bay De Noc. Early on the Sunday morning we planned to head for home, I decided I wanted to swim one last time in the lake. It had been such a pleasant, enjoyable day in the water the day before, so I just wanted that one last swim. The lake bottom is really rocky and you have to pick your way carefully in before you get out to sandy bottom. I never got out that far. I was wearing water shoes and thought I was being cautious enough, but before I knew even what happened, I was down in the water and instantly felt excruciating pain in my left wrist. As I recovered from the initial shock and tried to sort out what had happened, I picked my left arm up. I remember looking at it and seeing how oddly deformed it was, the pain registering in my brain and realizing that “something ain’t right here.” I had to crawl back in to shore, on my knees and using my elbows. Let’s just say that my entourage and I packed up our stuff and headed back for home a little earlier than we had planned. I decided that I would wait until I got back home and to a healthcare facility I was comfortable with. That was a loooonnnnngggg 6 hour car ride back home.

Now, enter TCO. When we got back to my hometown of Stillwater, MN, I went immediately to the ER at Lakeview Hospital. I was informed that, indeed, I had broken bones and suffered a “Colles” fracture of the wrist; a common injury that occurs when you extend your arm to break your fall. The ER doctor did the best he could for me that day and then gave me the referral to TCO. He informed me that I might need surgery to repair my wrist if TCO thought they couldn’t reset the bones properly. I was scared. I had never broken any bones before and to think I might need surgery? Yes, I was frightened at the thought and whether or not I would regain complete function of my hand and wrist again.

I was fortunate to get into TCO within a week of my injury and saw Dr. Ryan Karlstad. He specializes in the hand and wrist. He immediately put me at ease, he was so kind and soft spoken and yet honest. He gave me a few options and surgery was a definate part of any of the options. Of course he had to inform me of the risks of surgery and the possibilities of not recovering full mobility or function of my hand and wrist afterwards. I opted to have him do an ORIF (open reduction and internal fixation) using a plate and screws. He informed me this would be the optimal route to go for best and long lasting positive results. Within a week of my injury, I was in the High Pointe surgical suites getting my fracture repaired!

I started occupational therapy very soon after with Bonnie VanDeMark OTR/L, CHT. I loved Bonnie. She is about the same age as me and shared the same sense of humor as me. I related so well to her that I actually enjoyed going to my sessions with her. I was almost sad when we were all done! Aside from her having a such a wonderful personality, she really knows her stuff! She gave me new and progressive exercises each time I saw her and measured my progress every time. Now, I am a really good patient, too, and always did my exercises religiously since I obviously wanted to get back to “normal” mobility and activity. I had to do my part.

I enjoy walking, hiking, yoga, Pilates, and my newest and latest passion, pickleball. You don’t realize until you can’t do things, how frustrating it is to have to require help to make a bed, fold clothes, put on a shirt, open a jar, or carry a laundry basket downstairs. Nope, I was going to do everything in my power to recover completely because I am fiercely independent (and am quite particular in how things ought to be done, my family will tell you I am a little OCD that way).

Even with my fractured wrist, though, and splint on, I went to my 3 x week Pilates classes faithfully. And there was no reason not to continue my daily walks, I didn’t break a leg, after all. I figured I would do as much as I could physically without the use of one arm, as there was no reason not to, right? I remember my Pilates instructor and the usual Pilates groupies marveling at my one armed planks, three point push ups, and “off balance” roll downs. Within a few short weeks, I was doing full planks, pushups and weight bearing yoga and Pilates exercises with no pain. That’s incredible and I just can’t believe that I am “back to normal” activity and mobility again, pain free!

I thank the huge role my caregivers and therapist from TCO did for me in this whole recovery process. I would probably not be considered a success otherwise. I guess my point also would be to emphasize to not count yourself out. Be in the mindset that if you do all that is requested of you from your TCO care team, you too, can be a successful “Comeback Story” like this 60 year old, retired, ordinary Grandma… ME! Thank you TCO!

I have had 13 surgeries from Twin Cities Orthopedics (TCO) and multiple other non-surgical treatments from TCO!

Dr. Karlstad and his team have treated my multiple elbow, thumbs and shoulder issues with multiple injections, some surgery and physical therapy.

Dr. Saterbak and her team treated both knees with injections, scopes, surgery, partial knee replacement followed by physical therapy.

Dr. Vargas and his team have treated both feet (cyst, plantar fasciitis, ankle instability), followed up with physical therapy.

With all of the visits to TCO, I was treated like a family member by all. They are hands on doctors, verifying motions, pain, etc. They follow conservative treatment, follow up regularly to keep track of progression and never rush through appointments. Dr. Saterbak even requested blood tests to rule out Lymes, arthritis, etc. I’ve been to other Orthopedic clinics where the doctor has you fill out a form in the waiting room and doesn’t even read it and the appointment ends without even checking joints, location of pain, and more.

Physical therapy at TCO is top of the line compared to other areas I’ve been to for therapy. They have so many options, equipment, and the therapists are all very knowledgeable. When you go, they are prepared for you and the treatments are personalized for you. They use every minute of your therapy time on you and truly want you to recover.

Thanks to TCO, I’ve returned to usual actives (pain free) more than 13 times and currently on the road to recovery from my latest foot surgery! I have referred so many family and friends as I know they will be treated right!

My wife and I are so impressed with Dr. Marek and his team that we have become frequent flyers with him! Dr. Marek is not only an excellent surgeon, but a very caring person. I had Carpal Tunnel and Antecubital Tunnel surgery on my left arm on March 9, 2018. Approximately 2 weeks later, my wife noticed blood-tinged drainage from the elbow area, looked at my elbow, said the incision on the elbow opened up, and immediately took me to TCO’s Urgent Care in Waconia. Ben-PA-C took a picture of the incision, sent it to Dr. Marek, who was out of town. I was stitched up and sent home with an antibiotic.

When I saw Dr. Marek and Ryan, PA-C for follow up, I was told they changed how they stitch up the elbow because of my specific case. Dr. Marek cares about his patient, how the incision looks, and every aspect of the procedure from beginning through to the end. My wife broke her wrist and had surgery, I had Carpal Tunnel and Antecubital Tunnel surgery on my right arm, my wife had Carpal Tunnel on her right wrist, and is scheduled for Carpal Tunnel on her left wrist. Dr. Marek and his team did all of the surgeries with good outcomes! We would recommend him and his team to anyone.

In 2015, I had a severe knee injury in a football game. I had been playing semi-pro woman’s football for about 4 years. My initial surgery was done at another Ortopedic practice. The second injury occurred 18 months later (also in a football game), after I was told my knee was stronger than it had been pre-injury, and I returned to the same practice. My knee did not heal correctly and therefore I had a 3rd surgery (all on the same knee, all by the same practice). I went in for my 1 year check up after surgery #3 and was told I would need a 4th surgery because it still wasn’t right. I was advised by Kim Kotila to get an opinion from Dr. Larson, which he was kind enough to do in a very prompt manor. He also advised surgery, but I immediately felt much more confident in his methods and therefore scheduled with him. I had surgery #4 at TCO on Aug 22nd. I am thrilled to say that 8 months post surgery I can stand with no pain, I can run and jump with full motion/mobility and, although I will never play football professionally again, I am playing volleyball and participating in everything I enjoy –  pain free with no restriction. THANK YOU Dr. Larson and the whole TCO staff! You are life changing!

My brother and I were born with cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic condition in which the body produces thick, sticky mucus that can clog the lungs. Growing up on a farm south of Fargo-Moorhead, we were just your typical active kids, playing softball, basketball, and football. As a girl, I loved football, and even played on the boy’s tackle football team in through 9th grade. I continued my basketball and pole vaulting careers at the University of Minnesota, Morris, while also playing numerous intramurals. During my junior year, the first devastating injury occurred while I was playing intramural flag football. I made a cut to avoid the defender and hyperextended my knee. I knew instantly I had torn my right ACL, and I was right.

I remember distinctly after the tear that my first concern was not for my knee, but my lungs. Physical activity is crucial for maintaining good airway clearance with CF, and I was worried that the long rehabilitation period would decrease my lung function to a new low and potentially never return to the pre-injury level. Within two weeks, I was diagnosed, had surgery and was in physical therapy in Morris, MN. I rehabbed diligently and sat out the entire basketball season, which was even more difficult because I had finally earned a starting role. During the rehab process, needing a way to maintain my lung function lead me to a competitive outlet in triathlons. Swimming straight, running straight and biking straight were safer for my ACL, but I missed cutting sports, especially football. The following year, I returned to basketball, playing my senior year and leading the team to a birth in the national tournament; however, my range of motion never fully returned and knee pain persisted.

In 2017, three years after my ACL tear, I signed with the Minnesota Vixen, a women’s semi-professional American football team based in Minneapolis. Every practice, scrimmage and game left me feeling energized and alive, like I was playing the sport I was meant to play. I loved it and played very well in the first four games of my rookie season as an outside linebacker. I intercepted and returned three passes for a touchdown. Then, while playing our rivals in Kansas City, I made a cut to tackle an opponent and felt my right leg give way. Trainers misdiagnosed the injury as a hamstring spasm, but I knew deep down that my ACL was gone, again. I found myself looking down the long, bleak road of 9-12 months of physical therapy and possibly never touching the field again. Another period of time where I both needed to rehab my knee and somehow maintain my lung function. I did it once, I could do it again.

I remember talking to my dad on the phone right after the injury. “Maybe you shouldn’t play football again,” he suggested softly. I wasn’t expecting my gut reaction to be so strong. I just knew I had to play again. “No,” I said, “I’m going to work my butt off and be ready for the next season. I’m going to do it because I can and because I love football.” He understood and told me to get working.

I had my ACL surgery, using the patellar graft this time, with TCO surgeon, Dr. Corey A. Wulf, less than two weeks after the injury. Within a week I was on the sidelines of the football field, cheering for my teammates at every practice and every game. Beyond rehab, I devoted myself to any type of fitness I could do to keep my lung function high, including crutching to the grocery store and back. My physical therapist told me I would be back running within 8 weeks, and with her help, I was. In March 2018, nine months after the surgery, I was cleared to play football, just in time for the Vixen’s first football game of the season. I definitely did not feel fully recovered, but was able to do my job on the field. However, I suffered from excruciating knee pain stemming from the patellar tendon. This pain kept me from using proper mechanics, reduced me to tears while driving, and persisted even during sleep. After trying self-training and a few places around the Twin Cities with no luck, I feared this was a pain I would have to live with for the rest of my life.

I kept searching for the help I needed, and ultimately found the solution at Training HAUS, which had just opened in Eagan. Training at “the HAUS” has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I started going to Training HAUS four mornings a week. There, I found out that my surgical leg had barely 50% of the strength of my non-surgical leg and that I had been severely overcompensating for the entirety of my 2018 football season. I was extremely fortunate to not have torn my ACL yet again, all-while helping the Vixen reach the national championship game and earning All-American status in the process. At the Training HAUS, Chris and Michael continually worked to develop the best possible customized plan to improve my quad strength, reducing my knee pain, and to make me performance-ready for the upcoming football season, which started in April. Almost instantly, I saw a difference as the pain started to subside and my running form, cutting form, and overall explosiveness improved.

The combination of rehabilitation and performance training I continue to receive at Training HAUS is unparalleled. My TCO hero is Chris Doney, one of my athletic trainers at Training HAUS, who has devoted countless hours to creating specialized training programs focused on isolating and strengthening my quad. Using the Biodex, a machine that measures muscle strength, we were able to track my improvements from 50% quad strength when I started to over 85%. I am still working towards complete symmetry. The knee pain has subsided, something I did not think was even possible a year ago. My TCO comeback has not been a linear process, but I cannot say this enough, I feel the best I have felt in SIX years (prior to my first ACL tear), and much of that thanks goes to my hero(s) at the Training HAUS, Chris and Michael. With commitment and a whole team behind me, I am entering my third season with the Minnesota Vixen fully healthy–lungs and knee, pain-free, and ready to compete. #HAUSBuilt

I had an ankle injury many years ago that wasn’t properly healed. In the spring of 2018, I re-injured it. I was fortunate to see Dr. McGarvey. He examined my ankle and tried an alternate to surgery with a cortisone shot. This helped quite a bit to get me through the pain for a while, but soon it was apparent that surgery was needed. I was walking with a limp and pain. I was going to schedule the surgery but that didn’t happen due to a family crisis. I explained my situation to the staff and they were very understanding and I left with another cortisone shot in the interim. By early spring of 2019, I couldn’t handle the pain and immobility, so I went back to TCO to schedule surgery. Everyone there remembered what happened to me and was extremely caring.

I had my surgery in the beginning of March. Dr. McGarvey did and excellent job! I am now 8 weeks after my surgery and receiving physical therapy. I am walking in tennis shoes, pain free and only using 1 crutch for safety! I go back to TCO on June 5th for my final check up and will personally thank him again, along with his assistant Rhodora Roxas, and his nurse Laura!

In December of 2018, I finished skiing with my family and as I was walking to my car. I had to hop across a ditch and bent my knee hard in the process. As I stood up I realized my knee did not feel right. I scheduled an appointment and did a consultation with a surgeon from a different orthopedic practice. After asking around for the best knee surgeon, it was suggested to meet Dr. Corey Wulf. He was able to meet with me the next day and we scheduled surgery. This was the second bucket handle meniscus tear I have had in my left knee (the first one was 6 years ago).

The surgery went great and I was able to start physical therapy 2 days after surgery. When I met Paul Breyen, he was very friendly and listened well. He developed a PT plan for me and we were able to progress very quickly. I had a personal goal to be able to ski the first weekend of February on a ski trip to Montana with friends. Even though Paul suggested against pushing my knee too quickly, he helped develop a plan that strengthened my leg and knee. I was able push the exercises and was successful in skiing that weekend!

Paul helped me to meet my goals and has even developed a plan for me to train for the MS150 (150 mile bike ride) in June and my first ever half Ironman in July! I did all of my PT at the new facility in Eagan and the Training Haus. That facility is best in class and also, just plain awesome! Thanks TCO for helping me with my Comeback Story!

Seven years ago, I slipped down some stairs and broke three metatarsals. The emergency room doctor set me up with an orthopedic surgeon (at another practice) who recommended immediate surgery. Surgery was done and recovery went well until 4 of the 5 screws placed, broke in half. My orthopedic doctor recommended they be removed. I agreed. The removal did not decrease the pain, it was more difficult to walk. This ongoing situation caused me to not be able to join my daughters and husband in Paris, or in Spain, or London or Uruguay, or Portugal.all on separate trips. I couldn’t walk.

I was then referred to Twin Cities Orthopedics by my primary care physician, who is so great by the way. My first appointment with Dr. Tanner was great. He was thorough, professional and very concerned about my expectations for outcomes. He was able to fit my surgery into his schedule. The Blaine Orthopedic Surgery Center is outstanding! As a nurse, I have been in and experienced many but this was extraordinary, from facility to nursing care. Thank you Blaine.

My after care was handled at TCO Blaine. The reception staff is great always gracious and welcoming. There is coffee and a daily paper available, along with wheelchairs out front and umbrellas! The whole facility has easy access and great directional signs telling you where to go.

Now for the most important, follow up and how’s my foot. I had my follow up appointment with Christopher Romanowicz, PA – what a great guy. He’s intelligent, able to communicate clearly the status of the foot, helpful with suggestions for comfort measures, honest about status of foot. He’s a no “BS” guy and I appreciate that. My visits with him every two weeks really helped me make it through this painful surgery.

I’m 3 months out from surgery and want to say, thank you Dr. Tanner, Chris, and the entire staff at the Blaine Surgery Center. Twin Cities Orthopedics has significantly improved my life. Hopefully this year I’m off to the Azores. Thank you.

Last year, I remember summer being a challanging time for myself personally, as I started to think about the father/husband I was becoming. I was active with my family (or maybe too active) and I began to pay the paid the price with horrible knee pain. Fast forward to winter and the pain continued to get worse and worse. I decided to head into the doctor. With each visit, I would lose a little hope in returning to my playful ways with kids and activities with my family. Then I finally made my way to TCO, where Dr. Butterfield said he could help. I was excited and nervous about the surgery, but he made it seem easy. I remember waking up from surgery and instantly the pain was gone. It was unbelievable how great I felt and how my life felt on track again…so soon.

One month later, I was back to normal activities and had a large “pop” in my other knee. Again, I went back to my trusted surgeon, Dr. Butterfield, which turned out to be the best decisions I’ve made for my personal health. I had another surgery and so far, it was another success. This sounds overboard, but Dr. Butterfield and TCO have given me the ability to be a active, fun dad again. The smiles on my kids when we’re chasing through the yard is priceless. Thanks Dr. Butterfield!