Patient Testimonials

Dr. Owen O’Neill came highly recommended and now I know why! On December 1, 2023 I went in to surgery with a very messed-up knee. I had huge bone spurs that started to limit my very active life at 69 years old. Surgery went very smoothly. Dr. O’Neill and his team were very attentive, caring and competent. The pain was manageable. I rented the ‘NICE’ cooling system, did my PT, and only needed the walker for one week. Then I used a cane for another week. I kept up with my exercises well and ‘graduated’ the program. I now have over 130 degree bend, which will just keep improving. I can do 6 flights of stairs without a problem. I swim, take nice long walks, and am just enjoying an active life again! I obviously I needed to do my part too, but clearly Dr. O’Neill is a very big part of this success. I am most grateful to him, as are my husband and family!

I was referred to Dr. Bircher. He was very kind and a willing listener, as I was not an easy case! I dealt with multiple infections in the past. So he ran tests before he did anything, which I was very grateful for. Once we found out there was no infection, he did a metal removal from past surgery first.

Then he went ahead with the right knee replacement in July of 2023. In December of 2023 I had my left knee done. Dr. Bircher and his team were great! They called me at home multiple times to check in with me about healing and pain management. He was always quick to return calls and answered all of my questions or concerns.

He was also willing to give me a referral to a spine doctor who I have been going to now as well. If I do need more surgery down the road I will be going back with Dr. Bircher and his group. I would definitely recommend him and his team!

Dr. Mittelsteadt and his staff were amazing. I tell everybody about him and TCO. I could not imagine having a better experience. If I ever have to have surgery again I’m going back to TCO! I stayed at the EXCEL Care Suites for a night. Recovering was really nice and the nurses were amazing there too. Thank you so much to TCO for a great experience on something I was regretting. It was not bad at all.

During the month of July 2015, I had a full knee replacement on my right knee. My recovery time was 90 days before I could walk without a wooden pole. However, in order to remodel the first level of our single-family home in November 2015, I still had to maintain a daily intake of pain medication to perform manual work seven days per week. This intake continued until December 2015.

I was introduced to Dr. Bircher at your new TCO Plymouth location and I had a full left knee replacement in February 2024. Physical therapy was performed at TCO Maple Grove. Something was very different this time and the healing process was entirely different. That same month, I ceased taking pain medication and Tylenol. There was obviously a much faster recovery time than my 2015 procedure.

The question is, “what changed to cause such a difference in recovery?” I don’t think the actual replacement procedure, nor the replacement devises have changed much in eight years. There is only one major factor that could alter the healing time as much as it did, and that would be the knowledge and skill of Dr. Bircher. In addition, Dr. Bircher has great bedside manner.

In summary, I would like to mention and give credit to the two PT’s that pushed me and guided me through the post-op recovery process. Elsie Olsen and Therese Owen have great personalities and skills. They worked hard and encouraged me to complete the recovery process properly and in a short time frame. Both of them are very pleasant to be around!

I am just 3-months out from my second Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery with Dr. Owen O’Neill and his team. This surgery was as successful as my first TKR two years ago with Dr. O’Neill and his team. I again can attest that everything about Dr. Owen O’Neill, his team, TCO and the EXCEL Program were top notch. From pre-surgical prep, through surgery, post-op, PT-rehab, and personal training sessions I remain extremely impressed with TCO.

After my surgery it was critical to go through 6-weeks of great TCO physical therapy sessions and then four TCO personal training sessions over the next month to focus on sports specific training for agility, strength and speed in my racquetball sport. Within 2+ months after surgery I started getting back to a competitive level on the r-ball court as an “A-level” player. And I am getting stronger each week due to the proper surgery skills and technology, coupled with the effective post-op rehab and training. I am very grateful for an excellent surgical experience, outcome and results in getting back to the quality of physical life I desired.

I will continue strongly recommending Dr. O’Neill to my friends and fellow athletes. If you want peace of mind for your orthopedic medical matters then Dr. O’Neill and TCO are your clear choice.

I tore my ACL and meniscus in 2005 when my husband was overseas. I had surgery to repair the tears, however, over time my knee deteriorated, and I had increased pain again. I was told many years ago I needed a knee replacement but could not wrap my head around it, so I waited. In 2022, I started having hip and lower back pain from my “knee swagger.”

I was seen by my primary care provider, and she recommended Dr. Jonathan Cooper and Twin Cities Orthopedics. I can honestly say my first appointment with Dr. Cooper was educational. He went over my options, explained the procedure, and answered all of my questions. I had my long overdue knee replacement this past summer. Dr. Cooper and his wonderful staff at Lakewood Health System are amazing, and I wish I would have had surgery sooner. I am back to work full time with a “runway walk” that I love to show off. Thank you, Dr. Cooper and staff!

It was almost by accident that I had Dr. Bircher do my surgery. He just happened to be available for my initial diagnosis. It was a very lucky day for me. This was my second knee replacement, so I had a pretty good idea what I was in for. My surgery and recovery were absolutely fabulous and beyond any expectations I had. Words cannot describe how happy I am with the results. His PA, Kari Gabrielse, is caring and a joy to work with as well. Highly recommend this team if you are considering knee surgery.

Dr. Ridley answered all my questions of moving forward with my second knee replacement. He performed a replacement on my other knee two years ago and I couldn’t be happier! He personally followed up on my pre-operative and post-operative visits and was proactive in getting the surgery and insurance handled promptly.

In early 2023, I had both a knee and hip replaced by Dr. Nemanich. First I got my new hip and never looked back. My knee was also a success but, I will say, it hurt more than the hip replacement. Dr. Nemanich is a skilled surgeon and a kind man. I have full confidence in him and do recommend him for your next surgery.

Prior to my left knee replacement, Dr. Nessler explained the procedure and let me know it wouldn’t be easy but that it’d be worth it. Prior to the surgery he also ordered an MRI of my back, which proved to be contributing to my overall health issues. The surgery went very well; there weren’t any complications. Throughout the first 6 weeks post-surgery, Dr. Nessler listened and responded to all concerns with effective advice and/or strategies. He provided clearly defined goals and was very encouraging. Once I was able to look at the X-ray of my new knee, I knew it would just be a matter of time before I would be able to live without knee pain. Lisa (his assistant) was pleasant and always available to answer questions. She was also skilled at knowing when Dr. Nessler was needed for a follow-up which resulted putting me at ease.

I’ve now reached six weeks post-surgery and I’ve successfully rounded a corner. I’ll be continuing PT one time per week with Kyle at TCO Hudson, combined with exercises at home. Kyle was a perfect match for my needs. He’s a competent and enjoyable young man to interact with! I’m planning to have my right knee replaced in October of 2024 (must take advantage of the upcoming golf season of course). I will be trusting Dr. Nessler without hesitation to replace my right knee. I highly recommend him.