Patient Testimonials

Three months ago I had a total right knee replacement performed by Dr. James Bircher. He is very talented and knowledgeable, and uses the latest in knee technology and robotic-assisted surgery. I am extremely satisfied with the results.

I have excellent stability and full range of motion, don’t have any pain and with only slight swelling. My incision is perfect and barely visible. Dr. Bircher is very friendly, kind and easy to work with. I highly recommend Dr. Bircher for your knee replacement surgery.

After my son broke his wrist, we went to see Dr. Adam Bakker, and he put in plate and screws. There is no doubt in my mind he is an excellent surgeon and doctor, we are 100% happy with his work and his communication skills.

Dr. Marcus Mittelsteadt was superb. He took time to answer all of my questions, and explained the procedure and recovery quite well. He and his staff were always available for questions and assistance, corrected any issues that arose, and returned phone calls in a timely manner.

Dr. James Bircher is a tremendous surgeon possessing a rare combination of exceptional talent, wisdom and compassion. I am truly grateful for Dr. Bircher and I would highly recommend Dr. Bircher and his ‘team’ to anyone seeking great orthopedic hip care.

My story begins almost three years ago. Having just moved to Minnesota from Wisconsin and suffering from severe right hip pain. After researching the biographies of TCO’s surgeons, I felt led to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bircher. During my initial appointment with
Dr. Bircher, two things occurred:
(1) I immediately realized that I had found the ‘right surgeon’ to replace my right hip
(2) I learned, incredibly, that I had to first lose almost 60 pounds before surgery could be safely accomplished

Almost two and one half years from that first appointment, I was scheduled for the replacement of my right hip having lost the required 60 pounds. On the day of surgery, prior to being wheeled into the operating room, Dr. Bircher met with me and asked if he could pray with my wife, our adult son & myself for God’s favor over the surgery – my response was – absolutely and so very much appreciated!

To my surprise, I learned that my severely deteriorated hip (according to Dr. Bircher, one of the worst that he had seen) was successfully replaced and that Dr. Bircher would be visiting with me shortly, and surgery was pronounced to be a ‘success’.  Three weeks after the surgery, I was able to go beyond my walking at home and begin walking around Lifetime Fitness’s walking track. And now February 24 2025, I still remain completely ‘pain free’ with ALL that I had to endure but a distant memory.

I take this moment to personally thank ALL involved in my hip replacement surgery:
Almighty God – for answering our prayers for a successful surgery (Psalm 77:11)
Dr. Bircher – for being the tremendous surgeon that he proved to be
PA Kari – who closed my incision to a point whereby it is now almost unnoticeable
Cassie – as the Care Coordinator who was always there to efficiently address the multitude of questions or needs relating to the surgery
Heather – my TCO physical therapist who did her very best to help me cope with all the pain I had to endure until the day of surgery.

I decided to visit Dr. Paul Langer in search of a second opinion on my injury, a Llisfranc fracture, and to explore more treatment options to get me out of pain. Previously, I had already had two surgeries and was considering the possibility of a third one. Dr. Langer educated me on my treatment options, and ultimately we decided to take a more conservative route, starting with a round of physical therapy and new orthotics. I am very pleased with my treatment so far.

The 3D technology Dr. Langer uses for his orthotics has been life-changing! I work all day on my feet and I love to stay active, and the orthotics Dr. Langer made for me, in addition to physical therapy, has gotten me back to day-to-day life without pain. I live over 4 hours away and Dr. Langer’s team has been great to communicate with they have been flexible in working around my schedule.

I am very appreciative of Dr. Langer providing me with all of my options, and would highly recommend him and his team to anyone dealing with a foot/ankle injury!

Although my index finger had been bent by arthritis for a few years, the pain was new. Pain escalated until the slightest bump felt like shards of glass in my finger. I was referred to Dr. Nishant Dwivedi by Melissa Olson, hand therapist.

At my first appointment, Dr. Dwivedi showed me the x-rays and explained no therapy or splint would help, and that I needed surgery. A few weeks later, Dr. Dwivedi fused a joint in my finger. I have not had even the slightest pain since surgery. My finger is straight and pain free! Melissa taught me several exercises and massage therapies, which kept the incision soft and gave me great range of motion in that finger. It’s amazing how the absence of pain in one finger can make every day so much better!

My surgery experience with Dr. Owen O’Neill & his team has been exceptional. The surgery location was at Two Twelve Surgery Center in Chaska, everyone  there were professional and welcoming and go above and beyond expectations.  Once I was home I was going up and down stairs the first day, I didn’t need anything stronger than Tylenol for pain. Before hip surgery it took forever to go up and down stairs. Getting in and out of the car was extremely painful. I am back to my old self and pain free.

I would highly recommend Dr. O’Neill & his team to anyone needing hip surgery.

After my first doctor retired, I was referred to Dr. James Bircher and so glad he is now my doctor. He did my second manipulation, and it turned out much better than my first. I was still having issues with motion and catching and clinking of my knee. Dr. Bircher recommended I try arthroscopic surgery to cut out scar tissue and it was so much better after that. Since then only has gotten better over the last several months. He also recommended I try ROM Tech Bike and ice machine which greatly helped with clonking and movement.

I just am so happy with everything he has recommenced and has done for me. He is so knowledgeable and very caring doctor. I would highly recommend Dr. Bircher to anyone needing knee surgery.

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!

An absolutely amazing experience from beginning to end to beginning again. Advocating for my 80-year-old mother, and as a medical professional, I anticipated the exact opposite of the wonderful exposure to TCO that we did have.

Dr. Edward Szalapski and his staff were clear & timely in the management of appts, step by step process to her surgical date, articulate direction during pre-op consenting for care. Their new state of the art facility felt like an extension of home, not a post-surgical hospital recovery unit with loud call lights and screaming patients during the night. It was silent, comfortable and compassionate.

Post discharge, I was anticipating at the 48-hour mark for surge in perceived pain after a total shoulder replacement, but there was minimal pain during recovery. On post-op day #4, with her shoulder and arm completely covered, we laughed as we considered the notion, “Did he even do surgery?”

As a nurse, I was prepared, yet Dr. Szalapski’s team was more prepared. The nerve block by anesthesia was perfection, the education and follow up care exceptional…so much so that we are beginning again….prayerful that the total replacement of her right shoulder will resemble the essence of the first! To help allow great grandma do what she loves to do….hold her baby grands!