My daughter, Alison, tore her ACL 13 months ago in an AAU basketball game. It was a violent collision that left Alison wondering if she would ever play basketball again. This was very traumatic for her because she was a highly rated player with a number of potential scholarship opportunities. Her initial diagnosis was incorrect and, with the urging of college coaches that were recruiting her for basketball, we decided to get a second opinion and MRI which revealed a complete ACL tear, bone bruising, sprained MCL, and some cartilage damage (did not know the extent at the time.) The first surgeon said she had two choices: no surgery and attempt to play her senior season and not play in college, or have the surgery and miss most, if not all of the season, but be ready for college. On top of that it would be almost a month before he could operate.
This was heart breaking news and left Alison in very poor spirits. Her White Bear Lake High School team was returning most of the players from the previous year and was the favorite to return to the state tournament the following spring. She was determined to have the surgery and still play her senior year. We decided to look at other options and fellow athletes recommended Dr. Saterbak.

We met with Dr. Saterbak on a Friday and she had surgery the following Wednesday! Alison smiled for the first time in weeks after that meeting. Dr. Saterbak could see no reason she couldn’t return to play that season and would do everything she could to help her. We targeted January as a return date. The surgical care at High Pointe was top notch and the surgery was successful with no further cartilage damage found. Alison then started the long road to recovery. The summer was tough as she followed her AAU basketball team around including going to Cincinnati over the July 4th. Her quad still was not firing so she still struggled getting around, however, in Cincinnati it finally fired and Alison was now able to walk and begin the next step of rehab. At this time January seemed a long way off. With that in mind, Dr. Saterbak and her physical therapists still thought that was an attainable target. With their help, Alison dove head first into her recovery and began making extreme strides. Amazingly, she passed all her physical tests in October and set her sights on returning for the very first game in late November! After consulting with her doctors, she was cleared to start practicing in early November and did start the first game of the season. She made the all-tournament team. Alison’s minutes were managed by her coach during the regular season to save her for the end. While she had some pain in the knee, it never really swelled and was very stable. Late in the season she was undercut and landed directly on the repaired knee, causing her to miss some games at the end of the season. We met with Dr. Saterbak and it was determined that the ACL knee was tighter and stronger than the good knee and we were hopefully she could play in the playoffs.
Alison returned to help her team to the State Tournament where they beat the number two ranked team in the state and finished fourth! She topped it off by making the All-Tournament team and was selected to play in the State All-Star Game. She also accepted a scholarship to play basketball at the University of Minnesota – Duluth.

We have no doubt that none of this would have been possible without the care and direction of Dr. Saterbak. Her willingness to help Alison recover this season played a huge role in her return.
We are now a year out since the initial surgery. Alison is pain free and no longer wears a knee brace and has complete confidence in her knee and the work of Dr. Saterbak.

Today I am 5 weeks post-surgery for my knee replacement. Dr. Lewis did a fantastic job on my knee and of course, we can’t forget about his PA, Libby. The two of them always give me excellent care. Since my progress has been superb, today is my last day of physical therapy. What a team. They have taken care of me for years. Thank you.

I had two knee replacements with Dr. Michael Meisterling and his PA, Shaun O’Keefe. I had my left knee done about 4 months ago and my right knee 4 weeks ago. I had a wonderful experience with the surgery. The surgery center at Lakeview in Stillwater was great and the nurses and staff, as well as Dr. Meisterling, made me very comfortable. Even the food was great! I would definitely recommend Dr. Meisterling to anyone considering a knee replacement.

Thank you very much for the excellent care given to me before, during, and after my shoulder surgery.  The staff and Dr. Barnett have been very kind, caring, approachable, friendly, and service-minded. I am grateful to everyone, starting with the receptionist, nurse who did the operation preparation, anesthesiologist, Nicole, Debbie, Dr. Barnett, and others at the Two-Twelve Medical Building who helped me over the last three months. Thanks to the care provided, I am pretty well and happy. With continued homework-therapy and prayer, I am sure I will be totally recovered soon. God has been good; He sent me the best medical staff and therapists.

In the first month especially, I had many concerns and questions about my pain, not being able to sleep, etc., and Nicole and Debbie were always there to answer and encourage me, always returning my phone call. I felt comfortable to call them whenever needed because they had given me permission to do so. Dr. Barnett is blessed to have such caring staff.

I have had tears in both of my shoulders involving the labrum to each side for the past 5 years or so. I also learned through MRIs that my labrums weren’t developed normally to the socket, and so I endured loose shoulder joints throughout my life. I tried everything from conservative therapy pre-surgery, as well as attempting to “tough it out” and limiting myself from most aspects of any sport. Having an athletic personality I felt continuously frustrated and saw no improvements in stability. Eventually I decided it was time to take action and see a surgeon.

Twin Cities Orthopedics introduced me to Dr. Eggert. The medical knowledge this man has is incredible, he was able to answer all questions I had and explained in great detail the arthroscopic procedures. I knew pretty quickly I was in good hands between Dr. Eggert and his staff. I had my right shoulder operated on mid-February, and the left shoulder done later in March. As I progressed with my therapy program I noticed stability in my shoulder like never before.

I am now a total of four months post-op since my first surgery. Every day I notice improvements and am so thankful and happy with the surgeries. It is a long recovery, but I have been so happy with the results. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Cathy Carrabre (Physical Therapist) who did an amazing job.

This has been a life changing experience. In a year or so from now I should be able to resume all activities I have missed out on for so long without restrictions. 10/10 experience. You guys are the best.

Ten years ago, June 7, 2006, Dr. Bartie performed a spinal fusion on me. I am so grateful, as ten years later I remain pain-free. I will never forget what he told me. “Take care of your spine, do the correct exercises, stay healthy, and you will get ten plus years out of this fusion.” I remember telling him, “I am going to get twenty plus, if not life, out of this fusion!” I exercise daily and my spine and health couldn’t be better!

People tell me I am a strong woman. My husband, Larry, of 31 years died of ALS June 22, 2014. Symptoms started in 2010. Four years of watching the love of my life slowly die were the four most difficult years of my life. Spine surgery was a breeze compared to the ALS. Without Dr. Bartie being the best spine surgeon, I know I wouldn’t have been strong enough to take care of my husband and support him living with ALS. So thank you. I am forever grateful and truly blessed.

I applaud all of your great nurses and physical therapists for the great care I received in your overnight unit in Edina. I found all the nurses to be tremendous, so caring and sweet. The physical therapists were also great and the room was wonderful. Overall, a super experience with your EXCEL Program. Thank you so very much!

*Mary had a hip replacement with Dr. Owen O’Neill as a participant in TCO’s EXCEL Program

Dr. Kayvon Riggi conveyed a personal interest from pre-surgery to post surgery follow up. Prior to Dr. Riggi’s surgery on my knee replacement, I was literally a cripple. Because of my age, 87, I had questions about proceeding with the surgery. His review of my situation was very assuring and I decided to proceed with the knee replacement. The surgery was a complete success and I am now mowing my own lawn, which is about a mile walking. Dr. Riggi’s surgery literally gave me my life back.

Dr. Karlstad, you probably don’t get feedback from most patients you see who have successful outcomes. Just wanted to send a quick note letting you know that I think the diagnosis of tendonitis in my wrist was spot on, and the cortisone shot worked amazingly well. It was a few days into it and I said to my wife, “I completely forgot about my sore wrist,” which was amazing. Prior to the treatment I couldn’t do anything without it reminding me that it was messed up. It was a major nuisance and pain.

So great job. Thanks for taking care of it.

Everything went great! The surgery went fast and all the nurses were good with me. They checked on me all the time to see if I needed anything. I spent the night in rehab and went for a 2 a.m. walk with the nurse. The next day everyone came to see me about my hip and gave me tips about what to do and what not to do. I went home that day and was already healing well. The nurses are great and always help if you need it. You all keep up the good work and thank you for everything!

*Joann had a hip replacement with Dr. Jonathan Asp as a participant in TCO’s EXCEL Program