Patient Testimonials

For the past 10+ years, I had been searching for an answer to my ever worsening ankle pain which was a result of a motorcycle injury when I was 19, and I’m now 60. Dr. Tanner reviewed my history and completed his examination of my ankle. On that 1st visit he felt that he could ease 50-80% of my pain. I was on board and we scheduled the procedure that same visit. The surgery went well and my recovery was a breeze. I was off pain meds within 3 days and moved to Tylenol after that. I’m now 11 months post surgery and have absolutely NO regrets. This has given me a new lease on life, waterskiing virtually every day this past August, to hiking in Ireland in September. Now I’m back to planning hunting trips with my boys.

Knowledgeable, thoughtful, caring are words I would use to describe Dr. Cammack and his great staff. I am 6 months post-surgery and from pre-surgery to all the follow-ups during recovery I felt I was in the best possible hands. I never felt rushed and all my questions/concerns were treated with respect and thoughtful consideration. I’m still not 200% but because of how well Dr. Cammack communicates what to expect, I am able to take the incremental progression that at times can be slow in stride and not get to discouraged. Highly recommend!!!

Hi Dr. Seybold and team, thank you for the awesome experience with my procedure today. I have been at home with my foot up, on ice and watching TV. The whole procedure, from the Edina office visit all the way to the actual surgery was outstanding. From the intake, the planning, the smooth experience and use of technology, to the amazing care from the physicians and staff, shows that TCO is the best orthopedics facility and absolutely and unequivocally second to none anywhere. Please share this praise with everyone who was involved with my care and part of putting up with me today. Markus

In October of 2016, I was faced with a situation of having my left lower leg amputated. Being a fairly active 59 years old, I was scared, nervous, and skeptical of my journey ahead. Although my story is nothing unique, it was my experience with TCO that made my situation easier to adjust too. Shortly thereafter, my oldest son, Tim, lost his left leg and partially the right foot, escalating our fight against Diabetes even more.

Timmy was a captain of the Burnsville Baseball team for the 2004-2008 seasons. He also coached the Burnsville Legion team for a number of years. TCO and the therapists there have given us the hope to be somewhat normal life again. They have introduced us to the great organization of and have simplified our journey back to independent living. Thanks!

We saw Dr. Cole because my daughter Riley (15), was experiencing acute pain in her left foot. She plays high school basketball and had a sharp, persistent pain that would not go away. Dr. Cole ordered x-rays because he suspected a stress fracture but they came back non-conclusive. He then suggested we do an MRI because he was suspicious the x-rays were not telling the whole story. We did the MRI and sure enough, there it was. I feel Dr. Cole went above and beyond to help diagnose Riley’s foot pain. I think most doctors would have said the x-ray didn’t show anything and been done. Dr. Cole explained his thoughts the entire way through the process. I felt like we were making informed decisions based on him taking the time to make sure we were educated.  He was a very thoughtful, kind and effective doctor for us.

Not only is he a great doctor but he is a great guy! Riley is interested in becoming a doctor and during our time with Dr. Cole had asked him a few questions about his educational history and experiences. Dr. Cole took extra time to share his thoughts and feelings on how he became a doctor and some of his background. Riley left his office that day excited about her future as a doctor – amazed that he took the time to discuss his life with her. I just can’t say enough about how Dr. Cole took care of us. He took the time to really understand her background, which I think was instrumental to his diagnosis. He was a great doctor and a great role model for our daughter. Thanks, Dr. Cole!!

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.

My comeback story started January 25, 2018. I played football at the University of Northwestern Saint Paul, and we had lifting that evening. We did lower body workouts such as squats, deadlifts, and lunges. I played wide receiver and I was feeling amazing so I was lifting with the offensive line this day. The lift went great then we had an inturmal basketball game after. On the first play of this game I pushed off to run and collapsed. I had never experienced a pain like this and was yelling and crying out. I was screaming, “who kicked me.” Nobody was within ten feet of me. My football teammates carried me to the training room where we called our athletic trainer and he said I probably ruptured my Achilles at 18 years old. He thought that was unheard of and that I needed to go to the doctor as soon as possible. I called my parents and my mom told me to go to Twin Cities Orthopedics because she heard amazing things about them. So, I met my mom at TCO Maple Grove where I was told I indeed ruptured my Achilles. This was devestaing to me.

I have never had an injury of this extent. To add to my sadness, my surgery was scheduled for February 2nd and I was scheduled to volunteer at US Bank Stadium for the Super Bowl on February 4th. As with every kid who plays football, this was always been a dream of mine and it was not anymore possible. However, my surgery went perfect and I was on the road to recovery. I experienced many trials in the process, like missing one week of school and simply getting around campus in the winter seemed impossible, so I missed countless classes. However, I persevered and was able to do well in all of my classes through the grace of my professors. Along with going to therapy and meeting countless obstacles recovering.

My goal from the start was to be ready for football season in September and play in our second game of the year, which was in Los Angeles. I was told by almost everyone that it was unachiveable. I was given a time table of a 12 month recovery. I wanted to beat these odds with all of my heart. At the start of my therapy I was extremely disappointed with my results but I was on track to recover in 12 months. As the summer approached, I met with my trainer at school and he said I should consider gray shirting (medical redshirt) that upcoming year. This made me angry and pushed me to train harder. In the middle of summer, my therapist left on maturity leave and then Julie Wenda became my therapist. She asked me what my goal was and I will never forget her face because she, like everyone else, cringed. But then she said I believe in you and let’s do this.

This is exactly what I needed. She pushed me and gave me the skills I needed to succeed. As football season approached, I met with my coaches and they wanted me to grayshirt again. This was a dagger. But I believed in myself and Julie still thought I could make it. I did not grayshirt going into August. I was not able to do much with the team and was not progressing. Julie was pushing me during therapy but my trainers would not let me do drills in practice. So Julie went out of her way to writing them and calling them to tell them over and over that I was ready and needed to push myself. I am very thankful she did this for me. After Julie talked to them, they let me participate in practice. The first week of September came around and my coaches were making the roster for the game in Los Angeles and they gave me a chance to prove myself. However, they said I was not ready and I would not be able to go with them. This broke my heart. I was devastated.

When I came back to therapy that week and told Julie she was sad but she immediately turned around and asked me what my next goal is. Again, her uplifting spirit helped me through this tough time. My goal was to be able to play in a game this year. As the year went on I kept pushing myself to try and get myself ready and on the last game of the year I was able to meet this goal. This was an emotional time for me and I am beyond thankful for my family, friends, teammates, and Twin Cities Orthopedics. Without these people I would not have made this comeback and was still able to beat the odds playing in a collegiate football game 8 months after surgery. At the end of the year my teammates and coaches voted me to win the David award for our team. This award is described as the overcomer of great odds. I was honored and blessed. Through this injury I have become a better person and I have learned a lot through the adversity and I faced. Now I am preparing for next season, planning on being a 100%, and thriving. Thanks to Twin Cities Orthopedics – this is my comeback story.

Dr. Vargas recently did a bunion/hammertoe surgery on both of my feet. The outcome of this surgery is even better than what I had hoped for. Dr. Vargas is a very compassionate and caring surgeon. He listens to his patients and provides them with the best care possible. This surgery is allowing me to resume the active lifestyle that I want and I am pain free. I highly recommend Dr. Vargas and his staff.

My daughter Emily sustained an injury during basketball. We called TCO to get an appointment, and were able to be seen almost immediately. We first met with Fred, who genuinely showed compassion to Emily, and made her feel comfortable. He took the time to discuss the process which was about to take place to evaluate, and eventually treat the injury. We then met with Dr. Cole. He talked to Emily in a way which made her understand what was taking place, and kept her at ease. It was determined that Emily did have a fracture, and the TCO team went into action creating a plan. The care coordination was extraordinary. We met on regular intervals with Dr. Cole and his care team. Fred often followed up, in between visits, to understand our progress. I called Fred with questions, and received timely responses. The overall experience was fantastic. I know where will be will coming, should an event like this take place in the future.

I went to Twin Cities Orthopedics for a second opinion and found Dr. Crowe. He had fixed a compound fracture of my ankle in 2000, and did a wonderful job. I was so happy to find him again and he did a wonderful job on my back. I am pain free and so grateful to Dr. Crowe. If you want a great surgeon who knows his stuff…..Call him!! You will not be disappointed.