Patient Testimonials

I have a wonderful success story! I had a bad hip fracture in April 2019, which an ER physician repaired with screws. For the next 18 months, I suffered pain and increasing disability. In the meantime, my right leg shortened, so that I walked very poorly. I consulted Dr. Owen O’Neill because of his excellent reputation and because I wanted a solution that would allow me to resume an active lifestyle. In my late 70s, I was not ready to give up!

Dr. O’Neill impressed me on my first visit. He explained my X-rays, the advantages of his surgical approach, and answered all of my questions with thoroughness and care. To make a long story short, I felt less pain post-surgery than I had in the past year and a half! The length of my right leg was restored, and I could walk unassisted within a week. After one month, I was able to travel to New York to spend Thanksgiving with my daughter and her family. I am deeply grateful to Dr. O’Neill and his team of caregivers for all of their help. Thanks to them, I have my life back!

Dr. Owen O’Neill and his team did a phenomenal job restoring me to my previous activities, pain-free. After 2 surgeries to replace both hips and 3.5 months of healing, I returned to biking, walked without impediment and resumed daily activities – like putting on socks with ease. As the healing continues, I look forward to returning to cross-country skiing and rollerblading. On the journey, Dr. O’Neill and his staff answered my many questions about the procedure and pre and post-op preparations. Most impressively, the surgery:

• Allowed me to walk the same day of the surgery
• Required only 1 incision
• Cut no muscle
• Involved zero narcotics for the pain; only some Tylenol for a couple of weeks following

Many thanks to Dr. O’Neill and his staff for all the help, patience, skill and expertise they brought to return me to a more active life!

I am 82 years old and had my hip surgery on July 17, 2020. I received lot of information on how to prepare for surgery and what to expect afterwards. Surgery went well and I was out of the hospital the next day. I was given exercises to perform and didn’t need any other therapy. I also was given adequate pain medication during and after the procedure. I was up and walking almost immediately. I only needed a walker for 3 days and a cane for 10 days. It takes some time for pain from exercise to heal to but each day improves. After 6 to 8 weeks there has been no pain and no restrictions on movements. I have more flexibility now than I had before surgery. I would do it again and I definitely recommend Dr. Owen O’Neill.

I was injured during a family rollerskating event on New Year’s Eve 2018. I fell from a piece of metal abruptly catching my rollerskate. I was in excruciating pain, unable to walk without extensive pain, and our lives were changed for the unknown ahead of us. As we anticipated the outcome and uncertainty to find out what my injury was, TCO was amazing on every step of the way from my diagnosis of injury, surgery and recovery. All 3 of my hamstring muscles were torn off my pelvic bone and needed to be surgically screwed to my pelvic bone for proper healing to occur. I had been working at the school in our district and could no longer do anything except lay on my back at home.

Dr. Barry and Rebecca Muson, PA treated me very well and did everything necessary to get things rolling quickly and efficiently. The aftercare was inspiring as I continued to heal, which included a card, and follow-up calls. Not only did they work with me, but they also involved my husband in the recovery as I was no longer able to be the active wife/mother of 4 that I was. This injury was a huge lifestyle change within our household, but TCO gave us skills and tools to make the healing/recovery as manageable as possible. I am now 3 months out from my surgery and am seeing the benefits that TCO provided with their care. I am able to walk now with physical therapists helping me every week and I can almost sit without severe pain.

I would like to thank all of the staff at TCO Blaine for the excellent care they provided to me and my family. TCO will be my recommended choice for friends or family in need of orthopedic care. Thank you for everything Twin Cities Orthopedics!!!

In 2015, my sophomore year of college, I was the starting goalkeeper for the Gustavus women’s soccer program when I took a knee to my hip in the beginning of the second half. I had sustained a hip pointer injury, but continued to play the following 35 minutes and overtime, in addition another 35 minutes of double overtime. After that, I played another full game and double overtime to end the season.

I took 2 weeks off from working out and felt able to workout again, however I battled hip pain off and on for another 8 months before seeing another doctor. After getting an MRI, it was confirmed that I had a left femoral acetabular impingement and a complex labral tear. I was referred to Dr. Larson, who assured me that all of my symptoms; pain in my joint, clicking, pinching, clenching and a shooting pain from my hips, down my leg, and up my abdomen was normal for the injury. We talked about alternative treatments but had decided surgery was my only option.

In August of 2016, I went into the OR and had a FAI decompression and labral repair and debreidment. In the same month I began physical therapy. I sat out my junior year of soccer at Gustavus but supported my teammates as they won the conference and went to the national tournament. I got strong enough and was cleared to return to play my senior year, but my heart was no longer in it and, although I completed the season, I did not have joy for the sport and I still had fear of taking a hard hit. I did not feel I had a proper comeback and I did not feel I overcame my surgery. I decided after graduation, passing my Nursing boards, and training in at the Mayo Clinic, that running a marathon would be my comeback. And that’s when I began training.

I had my 3 year check in with Dr. Larson at the new Vikings clinic just months before I was scheduled for my race. He assured me that my scans and physical assessment looked great and that running is a better choice for me. We talked about how the side to side motion and constant position changes was not good for my hip, and that a continuous forward motion like running would be better for my hip and my lifestyle.

I then ran the San Francisco half marathon in under 2 hours, continued my training, and ran the Twin Cities Marathon in 4 hours and 15 minutes without any hip pain. I plan on running many more marathons and half marathons in my future. I am signed up for a half marathon this August on the 4 year anniversary of my surgery. Celebrating 4 years without hip pain thanks to Dr. Larson, his amazing team, and his perfected recovery/rehab program.