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Stephen L. Olmsted, MD

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Orthopedic Surgery, Board Certified Hand Surgery Fellowship Hand Surgery Subspecialty Certification

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952-808-3000
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Areas of Focus

Hand & Wrist Care
Pediatric Care
Sports Medicine
Trauma Care

Stephen L. Olmsted, MD

Practice Overview

Stephen L. Olmsted, MD, has practiced orthopedics for over 20 years and provides specialty care for injuries and conditions of the hand, wrist and elbow. Dr. Olmsted is fellowship trained in hand and upper extremity. He cares for patients of all ages from young children to adults, providing individualized care to achieve maximum recovery and function.

Clinical Interest

Elbow care, including fractures (pediatric and adult), ligament injuries, biceps ruptures, sports-related conditions, elbow arthroscopy, total elbow arthroplasty, and revisions

Wrist care, including scaphoid fractures, carpal instability, distal radius fractures, arthritis, post-traumatic conditions, wrist arthroscopy, and ligament reconstruction

Nerve compression, including carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, endoscopic carpal tunnel release, nerve lacerations, and micro repair

Sports medicine, including sports-related injuries to the elbow, wrist, and hand for all levels of athletes

Hand care, including fractures, trauma, arthritis, lacerations, tendons, nerve, ligament injuries, Dupuytren’s contracture (surgical and nonsurgical treatment with Xiaflex), and thumb/finger arthritis, and reconstruction

Education

Certification
Board Certified, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Subspecailty Certification in Hand Surgery

Fellowship
Fellowship in Hand Surgery at the University of California, Davis

Residency
University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical Degree
University of Minnesota Medical School

Hospital & Surgery Center Affiliations

Crosstown Surgery Center
Eagan Orthopedic Surgery Center
Fairview Ridges Hospital
Minnesota Valley Surgery Center
Ridgeview Medical Center
St. Francis Regional Medical Center
Two Twelve Surgery Center
University of Minnesota Medical Center – Fairview

Professional Affiliations

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (Fellow)
American Medical Association
American Society of Surgery of the Hand (Fellow)
Minnesota Medical Association

Achievements & Awards

Top Doctor: Voted a top doctor for orthopedics by his peers in Minnesota Monthly (2023)
Awarded first place for a presentation at the Midwest Medical Student Research Forum, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
Received a Minnesota Medical Foundation Research Grant in (1989)
Minnesota Monthly Top Doctor (2017)

Sports Affiliations

Orthopedic consultant for hand and wrist injuries to collegiate and professional athletes and teams.

Staff

Matthew Anderson, OTR/L

Matthew Anderson, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist

Kelli W.
Care Coordinator

Patient Testimonials

September 20, 2023

Lucia M.

I had surgery on both hands with Dr. Olmsted many years ago. I had the best results. I would go back to him anytime.

September 18, 2023

Alan D.

Dr. Olmsted and his team, Matt and Kelli, are simply superlative. I have been a patient with them for ten years and have always been so pleased with their patient interaction, solicitousness, knowledge, and the explanation of the treatment plan. Dr. Olmsted combines adroit skill and experience to provide a salutary outcome. Thank you so much for all of this!

June 17, 2022

John B.

Dr. Steven Olmsted, the only name you need to know if you are considering carpal tunnel surgery. The diagnosis was correct and the results were terrific. Thank you to the entire staff at TCO Burnsville, especially Dr. Olmsted!

June 11, 2022

Cathy I.

Dr. Stephen Olmsted is thorough, knowledgeable, very kind and compassionate. He focuses on you as a patient and is extremely professional. He is a very skillful surgeon and I had an excellent experience with him recently. His staff is so very supportive and friendly, and along with Dr. Olmsted, they make a great team. I highly recommend Dr. Olmsted!

February 23, 2022

Marian R.

I had the best Doctor and assistant you could ask for. Therapy was great as well. I highly recommend Dr. Olmsted and Matt Anderson if you need care for your hand! Thank you again for taking care of me.

January 28, 2022

Sara M.

My 10 year old had his finger tip cut off by a door hinge. It was a traumatic experience thinking about how the process of surgery and healing would go. Dr. Olmsted did a fantastic job. When I was sitting with my son pre-surgery, I asked Dr. Olmsted how long it will take. His response was exactly what I wanted to hear. He said usually 30-45 minutes but I’m going to take my time to make sure it’s done just right. And he certainly did! It looks amazing and you can hardly tell the difference. I highly recommend Dr. Olmsted. We are so pleased with the end results.

January 22, 2022

Beth

I have to say, I was skeptical about coming into TCO urgent care because I have lost faith and trust in medical facilities. I spent 8 weeks at home doctoring my injury because of this lack of trust. However, I finally decided to give TCO a try. I would like to praise TCO Burnsville Orthopedic Urgent Care for every aspect of service I received. It started with May at the front desk, who kindly helped me with my check in, to Ben who saw me to inspect the “damage”. Then to the easy going x-ray tech who made everything comfortable and to Dr. Olmsted, who assured me that I could get my old self back, and to kind Kathy in the hand therapy department. I thank each and every one of you who never judged my injury and subsequent home doctoring. Everyone was kind, positive, and reassuring. I am now on my way to healing properly. Thank you all for a wonderful experience.

December 20, 2021

Barry K.

I am a first time patient with Dr. Olmsted and was somewhat hesitant going to a new surgeon. However, I am pleased to report that he made me feel at ease, he listened to my concerns, and told me how he would remove my cyst and the after-care involved. It was minor surgery and with antibiotics, the incision healed rapidly and the stiches were removed painlessly one week later by his assistant, Matthew Anderson. Dr. Olmsted is a STAR and I am happy to be one of his patients.
I also want to thank Twin Cities Orthopedics staff and nurses for their friendly, happy service and care. It was a delight to be cared for by such wonderful folks.

September 8, 2021

Susi L.

Before I met Dr. Olmsted I had been to countless doctors over the course of 15 years. I had been called a “medical freak” by several of those doctors. I was dealing with wrist pain for over a decade that had reached the point where I couldn’t even take the cap off of a dry erase marker. As a teacher, I was starting to worry about my ability to do my job. On a whim, I made an appointment with Dr. Olmsted and his amazing staff. He made a diagnosis in such a quick amount of time that I actually sought out a 2nd opinion. The other doctor I visited was highly recommended, but when he asked what brought me in, I told him it was to get a second opinion. He asked which doctor I had already seen. When I told him, the other doctor simply said, “I’ll look if you want, but that man is great. Do whatever he says and make sure he’s the one that does it!”

He wasn’t wrong. Dr. Olmsted went on to do a partial wrist fusion that was caused by undiagnosed juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. I now have more function in that wrist than I ever had before and there’s no more pain! I have since gone back for a variety of things, including broken fingers and a thumb fusion. He is truly a gifted doctor and surgeon and I can’t speak highly enough of him and Matt Anderson, OTL!

April 4, 2019

Cindy C.

I am in the Bloomington area on business. On the morning of March 11, 2019, I slipped on black ice and knew immediately that I had broken my wrist. Not only did the broken wrist upset and frighten me, but being from out of town, I knew nothing about what doctors that I would end up seeing or the quality of care I would receive. From my experience in the Fairview Ridges Emergency Department to the staff in the Twin Cities Orthopedics surgery center and beyond, I have had care so excellent, it really was beyond my expectations. Dr. Olmsted and physical therapist Matt are number 1 super heroes in my book. I would write more expressing my praise but typing one key at a time with my left hand hinders my ability to do so. I will leave it at this. Should you need care such as this, get in to see this wonderful team if you can. You won’t regret it.

February 9, 2018

Frank R.

Hello Mr. Boosalis,

I just wanted to tell you my story. Back in December I came down with shingles and a few days later I fell and injured my wrist. Early on a Saturday morning it was so painful and swollen that I went to ER in Shakopee and was told it wasn’t broken and to go home and ice and elevate it. By Monday it was much worse so I went to my family doctor. She said because I had a screw in my wrist from an injury 17 years ago I needed to see an orthopedic doctor as soon as possible. It was late Monday afternoon and she recommended that I go to TCO Waconia urgent care as they were open until 8:00 PM. I saw a physician assistant and was told to go home and ice it and elevate it. When I asked to see an orthopedic physician I was told the earliest appointment would Friday afternoon. I felt I couldn’t wait 4 more days. We went home and the following morning we called TCO Burnsville and was given an appointment the next morning, Wednesday. By Wednesday morning my hand and wrist were so swollen and painful I thought the skin would burst on my hand. The doctor I saw looked at the x-rays and told me to ice it and elevate it. I told him he had to do something as I had been icing and elevating for over 4 days and it was getting worse. He said he would see if Dr. Olmsted would take a look at it. In came Dr. Olmsted, he looked at my hand and then the x-ray and said the screw that had been placed in my wrist 17 years ago had backed out and was no longer in place. Furthermore the wrist was now badly infected and he recommended surgery that same day. Finally some help! Now Dr. Olmsted may not walk on water but he’s close to it in my book!!! Not only is he a gifted surgeon but is also a compassionate and caring doctor. I feel very fortunate to have had him care for me. My wrist and hand are still healing and I still have a ways to go but I am now able to type again and wanted to share my story with you.

Everyone at TCO Burnsville from the girls at the reception desk to the people in the surgery center downstairs and especially Matt, Dr. Olmsted’s physician assistant have been terrific and I can’t say enough about them. Another thing is this place runs like a Swiss watch. Appointments are always on time if not early. TCO Burnsville is top notch in my book and I will recommend it to everyone!

Sincerely, Frank R.

April 21, 2017

Dennis B.

On 12-2-16 I had an ulnar transposition done by Dr. Olmsted. The results have been very good, but not really as good as Dr. Olmsted himself.  My experience with him and his care team has been wonderful in all ways possible. I can’t say enough for both their professional abilities and their personal matter. Simply outstanding!

July 18, 2016

Sue V.

Dr. Olmsted is the absolute best physician/surgeon I’ve had! I was in a car accident and shattered my wrist. It took 2 surgeries to correct the issue. I couldn’t even get into another facility for weeks and he squeezed me in the day I called! Great bedside manner! And to top it off his staff that works with him are top notch! Highly recommended.

May 31, 2016

Pennie K.

Outstanding bedside care. His staff is equally fantastic. I cannot say enough about my experience with Dr. Olmsted and the carpal tunnel release method he performed via endoscopy instead of open surgery on the hand/wrist. It literally changed my life! I suffered so badly from carpal tunnel that I could not sleep for even an hour straight in any position without numbing, tingling and pain in my hands and wrists. The very night of the surgery on just one hand, I slept like a baby and less than a week later had the other hand done and now I really sleep completely sound rarely waking up at all. The surgery instantly cured the numbing and pain. It is an amazing relief to a very painful condition, and bonus that it is a very easy recovery. I was able to use my hands same day even after surgery, however with caution on pressure and weight. I golfed 6 weeks later with no pain and no issues. If you are contemplating this surgery because of the same symptoms, Dr. Olmsted said to me, “The pain of surgery & recovery is so minimal, almost minute compared to the pain you have living with carpal tunnel.” I could not agree more, or recommend anyone more!

November 3, 2015

Dan L.

Now that I’m 9 weeks post surgery, I can confirm what I’ve thought all along; I was fortunate to have Dr. Stephen Olmsted as the Surgeon on call from Twin Cities Orthopedics on the night of my accident. Having regained nearly all of my range of motion from a shattered wrist and reconstruction, and reviewed current X-rays with him that reveal a great surgical outcome, I clearly benefited beyond any reasonable expectation from the skillful experience, art and common sense of Dr. Olmsted‘s surgery and care. Don’t shatter your wrist! But if you do, go to TCO and request Dr. Stephen Olmsted.

September 21, 2015

Heidi S.

The staff at TCO are wonderful! The front desk gals have been great, but the care that I’ve received from Dr. Olmstead has been exceptional. He has administered my wrist casts quickly and gently, while being very friendly and personable. At one point, one of my casts started to become uncomfortable, and Dr. Olmsted squeezed me in last minute and came up with a solution to help me out. I’m glad to choose to go to Twin Cities Orthopedics for my broken wrist. It’s been a very good experience.

January 9, 2015

Mary R.

Thank you to Dr. Olmsted and Team for your work on my VERY arthritic finger joint! At now just over four weeks, my joint replacement feels good, moves well and I am finally typing, crocheting and writing comfortably again! At 51 years old I wasn’t ready to give in to stiffness and pain and your work is exceptional. Best thing I did in 2014!! You guys rock.

March 7, 2012

Donna F.

Donna F.

When Donna F. (pictured on right) injured her hand, the TCO Access Walk-In clinic at Twin Cities Orthopedics immediately came to mind. “I requested to be brought directly to the TCO Edina office to avoid long wait times in an emergency room,” she said. “Staff made sure I was comfortable while they coordinated care with the appropriate physician.”Donna ended up seeing orthopedic surgeon Stephen Olmsted, MD (pictured in middle), who discussed treatment options with her and her family. She proceeded with surgery to repair her broken fingers and said that “the care has been excellent.” She explains that in addition to having a high-quality surgeon her physical therapist, Cortney Bohnen, MA OTR/L has helped in her recovery. “I am regaining strength and movement in my fingers due to Cortney’s excellent hand therapy program,” she said.

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Stephen L. Olmsted, MD