Patient Testimonials

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.

I highly recommend Dr. Seybold. He has completed Achilles tendon debridement & bone spur removal on both of my ankles, the right in 2015 & the left in August 2018. Both resulted in pain elimination & were complete successes. The latest recovery was even a little quicker than the first one due to changes in the rehab protocols. His team at TCO Eagan is caring, responsive & extremely competent! Thank you Dr. Seybold!

I broke my ankle about 35 years ago and have had arthritis and pain that limited my participation in sports.

When I went to Twin Cities Orthopedics, Dr. Chris Coetzee told me I was a good candidate for ankle replacement. Within a few months of the surgery, I was given the OK to play again. I played nine holes and had two birdies in my return to the golf course! The next day, I played handball and won both matches. The guys said they thought I moved as well or better than before my ankle angioplasty. It really helps not to have the pain anymore.

I am thankful for Dr. Coetzee and his team who have made it possible for me to play sports and move through life without pain.

I broke my ankle on the playground in fourth grade. Little did I know trajectory at that time. I competed in gymnastics in high school. I learned how to play handball and golf. Some 40 years later, my ankle started to hurt.

Eventually, I visited a noted sport medicine doctor and was told that the early injury brought about an early onset of arthritis. Nothing I could do; maybe wear a brace. Five years later, I visited other specialists, and they all told me I could have my ankle fused and I’ll know when. Another five years, and I was limping so much everyone asked if I hurt myself. I worried I was throwing everything in my body off kilter.

I decided “it’s time” and made an appointment with Dr. Chris Coetzee to get my ankle evaluated for a fusion. After his review, he said I was a candidate for either. I looked at him confused and he explained he could either fuse my ankle or replace the joint. I asked and he explained that everything I had heard about ankle replacements not going well was old news. He said I would be able to run, play handball and golf as much as I liked. I turned to my wife and we decided to go for it. I never looked back!

I used to walk around looking at the ground. We would go on trips and I could describe the sidewalks and streets but not the buildings or landscapes. I was terrified I would stumble and hurt myself. Now, I can walk anywhere without this fear.  Forward, backward, up hills and down hills. My first ankle was more than 10 years ago and my second almost three. I won both the single and doubles Minnesota State Handball Championships in my age division this year. Everyone says I am moving better and better all the time.

Dr. Coetzee and his team at TCO gave all of this back to me. If you are a candidate for an ankle joint replacement, you can’t do better than TCO.

Photo caption:

This summer, at the World Handball Championship held in Minneapolis, four of Dr. Coetzee’s patients gathered for a photo – there are seven replacement ankles on the four handball players (from left), Arnie W., Sheldon S., Scott S. and Larry L.

Handball became my competitive game of choice in the Marine Corps, but by age 60, my body started showing its age. I had both hips replaced in four years, so my handball game started showing its age as well.

When my left ankle started giving me trouble, I went back to TCO and was informed that the arthritis from multiple sprains from various sports had caught up with me and it would have to be fused or replaced.

When Dr. Chris Coetzee said the replacement would take 35 minutes, I asked how an ankle replacement could be done in half the time of a hip. The answer was that no muscles or tendons had to be cut. This convinced me because the gluteus had to be cut in the hip replacements and regaining that muscle memory took some time.

After surgery on the ankle, I asked Dr. Coetzee how long it took and he said 35 minutes, including tightening the outside ligament. As promised, I was back playing handball in three months. It went so well that I did not hesitate to replace my right ankle within 18 months, once it was obvious that it had arthritis as well.

The second replacement took 10 minutes longer because the outside ligament on the right ankle was in worse shape than the left.

I’m now 72 and moving better on the handball court than I have in 10 years. I have even started to run again, a bit slower than before, but there is no pain!

Dr. Tanner provided expert surgical repair of my broken ankle which occurred when my leg went out from under me in the yard. He clearly is an expert in repairing this injury and despite the 2.5 months of immobility which were very difficult, I am grateful to him that I can walk again without pain.

So pleased that I had Dr. Tanner do my foot surgery. I was having a lot of problems with my foot after an injury. He was able to do the repairs needed on a complex surgery and he did such a fantastic job! I’ve been able to get back to being active again. He was very kind, caring and friendly, along with all staff involved. I would highly recommend Dr. Tanner as an excellent doctor.