Patient Testimonials

I had my knee replacement surgery on October 7, 2019. My entire experience – starting with my consultation with Dr. Szalapski, through the preliminary “class”, surgery, and follow-up – has been very positive. I am very glad that I had the surgery when I did.

Dr. Szalapski’s team of nurses and other doctors are excellent, and they all work very well together. The pre-op and post-op staff at Fairview Hospital Southdale in Edina were amazing. They were helpful, friendly and professional. Thanks to the good care of everyone, I have recovered well and had no issues whatsoever.

Dr. Meisterling and his assistant Kayla, have been an extended part of my family for the past 10 years. I have degenerative joint disease which has led me to have both knees, one shoulder, two thumbs and, most recently, a hip replaced. Dr. Meisterling and Kayla have walked through them all with me. My recent hip replacement was particularly challenging. Different components of the hardware failed, resulting in two revisions within 3 months of having the initial hip replacement. Dr. Meisterling and Kayla were available, supportive and most importantly, my advocates as we had to schedule each of these procedures. I felt so cared for during the whole ordeal. I am so grateful for this team.

I had refused to seriously consider taking any action for my knee. Dr. Kruse was the first doctor that I felt cared about my care and my future. He gave me hope for the first time in years that I can have my life back!

I’ve had Dr. Anseth replace my left knee and I am happy with it. I am now scheduled to have my right one replaced. He did an awesome job with the left knee replacement and I expect that same level of care with my next replacement. I feel blessed to have one of the best surgeons the Midwest.

After 3 years of worsening hip pain, I finally decided to visit TCO. I saw Dr. Sanders and he was very helpful. He explained my condition to me and what I could expect for the future. It took me awhile to finally accept that I needed surgery and, after a COVID delay, my left hip was replaced in June 2020. Dr. Sanders did a great job, not only with the surgery, but helping me understand the process. I was walking hours after surgery and my pain was gone! I used a walker for about 8 days and then walked on my own. Within 3 weeks I was walking for 30 minutes every day and worked my way up to 1 hour (3 miles) by 2 months post op. I am so pleased with my recovery! I highly recommend Dr. Sanders and also encourage everyone to follow his directions and do the exercises!

After two failed attempts to fix my thumb, I feel that Dr. Bakker actually listened to me. I truthfully didn’t care what he did because I had researched his qualifications and I felt so comfortable with his decisions, I just wanted to be out of pain and not deal with this left thumb pain anymore! He did exactly what needed to be done. I knew right out of surgery what he did worked because that pain in the pad of my thumb was gone! I’m happy, excited to move forward in my activities (as therapy allows) and stay out of pain!

Also, the staff is so friendly! They call out ‘hello’ when I walk in or ‘thanks, bye now’ when I leave! I love it! I am somebody at TCO!

I highly recommend Dr. Hess. He was my physician for rotator cuff repair. Dr. Hess was professional, as well as very personable. Prior to surgery he explained the procedure in detail and told me expected out comes. His staff offered great follow up support. Thanks to his wonderful work, I am back enjoying golf with no pain.

Dr. O’Keefe did such a great job on my operation. I am very satisfied with his work. I appreciate that he did such great work since it makes my life a lot easier now. I’m so glad I had him as my doctor. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I am a very active person who had been living for several years with a bad shoulder after a fly-fishing accident. I was hoping the shoulder could heal on its own, but finally realized that it wouldn’t, and got an MRI. I was frustrated at how my shoulder joint would give out, cause pain, and I was becoming increasingly worried about how it would become an even bigger problem as I aged.  The MRI showed a near complete tear of my subscapularis tendon and partial tear of my supraspinatus tendon. I took the MRI to Dr. Wulf at TCO and two other highly regarded and experienced Twin Cities shoulder surgeons at prominent clinics.

The two other surgeons looked at the MRI and told me there was nothing they could do for me. They said the subscapularis muscle had atrophied too much to be surgically reattached. They both suggested PT and that at some point I may need either a complete shoulder replacement or surgery to graft some of my pectoral muscle in place of the subscapularis. Dr Wulf, on the other hand, was able to look at my MRI and see that while there was atrophy, there was still enough viable muscle to allow reattachment.  He told me that even if only half of the muscle remained, reattaching the tendons and getting the tissues back in place around the joint would provide the stability I needed to regain performance and keep the shoulder from failing.

Dr. Wulf’s prognosis was what I wanted to hear, but I was still apprehensive given the two other opinions.  I scheduled two additional appointments with Dr. Wulf where I inundated him with questions.  He patiently answered them all, never wavered, and this encouraged me to put my faith in his knowledge, experience and surgical skill.

And he was 100% correct. I could tell early on in my recovery that this was an excellent repair, and that belief has only grown.  After seven months, I am back playing tennis again.  I can serve and stretch for a volley without hurting my shoulder. When I go to the gym, I can do flies without my shoulder giving out.  I can throw a ball and a Frisbee normally. I can put a bike up on ceiling hooks in the garage. I can scoop hard ice cream with my right hand.

Dr. Wulf restored my shoulder. He was the only surgeon who had the insight and experience to see that reattachment surgery was a real possibility, rather than seeing only options of last resort. His surgical skill was evident in my quick, largely pain free recovery and my joint strength. I am grateful that because of his insight, experience, and skill, I am able to regain strength and performance and can continue doing the things I love.

I cannot fully express my gratitude to Dr. Kelly and his staff for their care of my shoulder injury. I sustained a proximal humerus fracture in a ski accident about one year ago. Dr. Kelly’s diligent approach to my surgery and recovery ensured a return to my pre-accident range. The staff, especially Kaici, treated me with the utmost care and concern at each and every appointment. The communication at every step was clear and concise. I would strongly recommend Dr. Kelly as a surgeon.