Patient Testimonials

I was having all kinds of problems with my knee, I tried injections and burning the nerve. None worked then I saw Dr. James Bircher, he did a robotic-assisted knee replacement, and it went great! I am out of pain, him and the staff are very caring and good!

At 76, after a lifetime of running (ran nearly 100,000 miles in my life), I blew up my knee playing football in 1968 while still being very active throughout the years, and in 2010 I had a total knee revision by Dr. TJ Panek. He told me that if I continued to run after he replaced my knee, I’d wear it out after about 15 years. I could tell that he was right after about 13 years, and at 14 & a half I knew it was time for a redo. At this point, my knee was truly a mess. Lots of bone loss and a broken & mostly healed fibula.

Dr. Panek referred me to Dr. Joseph Nessler since he specializes in total knee revisions, and in October 2024, he performed the complex surgery. Now, just over three months later, I’m pain-free and walking 5-6 miles a day. Dr Nessler is friendly, kind, an excellent communicator and most of all, a remarkable surgeon. His skill is the reason I sought him out. His entire team is excellent. Lisa, his care coordinator, is also great. Easy to reach and answers right away. I absolutely recommend Dr. Nessler and his team at TCO. They’re the best.

I was very scared to have knee replacement surgery, but the Dr. James Bircher was great. I had such pain I couldn’t wait anymore, and very happy with the confidence and care he gave me. Would very highly recommend Dr. Bircher for anyone to have him as their physician when seeking a robotic-assisted knee replacement. Thank you so much.

Having finished my final appointment, I am, to say the least, extremely happy with my new knee. I did not think it would be possible after the accident to return to life as before. The confidence I received from Dr. James Bircher made all the difference in my unusual and difficult knee replacement and he and his staff did deliver everything he promised. As I continue to strengthen my knee and leg, I am confident of much more than I had before. Thank you Dr. Bircher and staff for your upbeat, thorough and professional care.

I would like thank Dr. Thomas Comfort for my many successful surgeries. Two knee revisions, 1 total knee replacement, both hip replacements and both shoulder replacements. He was very professional and willing to listen to all of my questions. He explained what he needed to do so I could understand. With more than 30 visits he still worked with me even on some of my default recovery due to possible a underlying issue I may have causing longer recoveries. I have and will pass his name on to other people that I think he could help.
Thanks Doc!

The entire experience was a marvel. From the initial first meeting with Dr. Randall Lewis to the 8 week follow-up appointment after surgery, everything went exactly as planned. The TCO EXCEL Surgery and Recovery Program is the gold standard for knee replacement. The pre-surgical information package was extremely helpful and easy to understand, the staff made you feel like you were their sole concern and the physical therapy was outstanding. I’m very thankful for the level of care you provided and my new knee is terrific. For the first time in a couple of years I can walk pain free and it’s wonderful. I feel like I’m living again. I would and have recommended TCO to friends and family and will continue to do so. Thank you, Dr. Lewis.

Thanks to the staff at the care suite and Maggie Dewitz at the Burnsville office. You are exceptional. Libby Witchger, you are an artist and I’d proudly display my scar to anyone should they ask. Your kind attention and encouragement throughout the experience were icing on the cake. Thank you.

I had a total left knee replacement 3 weeks ago, and I am now walking up to 2 miles a day, along with exercising daily. I can’t thank Dr. Brian O’Neill and his team enough. Amazing Dr.!

Dr. James Bircher, Kari, and Cassie are an amazing team! At 66 years old I was finally able to find relief by having a robotic-assisted total knee replacement performed by Dr. Bircher with his state-of-the art skills and advanced technological procedure.

He is a specialized orthopedic surgeon who gave extra attention to other medical conditions I have in consideration of recovery. I wished that I had met Dr. Bircher 10 years ago to have him perform the knee surgery then. When my other knee requires surgery I will only have Dr. Bircher perform the surgery.

He is detailed, thorough, realistic in recovery expectations, and keeps a patient filled with hope and energy within themselves to make this a successful experience. I am so thankful I had the total knee replacement. Thank you to everyone at TCO who helped me so I can have left-knee mobility again.

Highly recommend Dr. James Bircher and his wonderful team; I have anxiety issues and considered backing out at the last minute – so thankful I didn’t, not one bit of anxiety.

The care given to me made me so relaxed and I felt comfortable the entire time, Dr. Bircher was up to check on me first thing in the morning, shout out to my physical therapy team also- so encouraging! I was back to work in about 2 1/2 months – probably could have gone before that, but doctor’s orders. Scar is so minimal some people thought it just looked like a scratch!

Great team – I will go to them in the future if needed, although I’m hoping not. Thank you, Dr. Bircher and team.

I saw Dr. James Bircher for a right hip replacement and issues with my left hip replacement done by a different doctor. My right hip replacement was done via the anterior method, which Dr. Bircher specializes in and he did an excellent job on mine. My recovery was smooth and I’m almost pain free now. He’s always been patient with me and he explains my care thoroughly. He has never been rushed to get to the next patient. His staff and the front desk at TCO have always been excellent. I don’t have to wait long to get seen and they are always polite and pleasant. Dr. Bircher’s PA, Kari Gabrielse, and Care Coordinator, Cassie, are also top notch! I highly recommend Dr. Bircher and TCO!