Twin Cities Orthopedics

03/04/2026

We always look forward to hearing some of our brightest providers, physician fellows, and physical therapy residents speak at our Research & Education Annual Meeting. This year featured exciting studies and innovations, as well as updates from six 2025 Bioengineering Lab projects. This included the AOSSM 2025 Cabaud Award–winning study that showed how increased posterior tibial bone loss contributes to instability after ACL reconstruction, and how adding an LET helps combat instability.

Thank you to all the speakers from TCO, Training HAUS, Health Quotient and the Preventive Cardiology Clinic.

Read our blog for more details: TCOmn.com/2026-Research-Night

03/03/2026

When injuries struck, All-American gymnast Ella Zirbes stayed in her hometown of Stillwater for expert care.

As the Official Sports Medicine Provider of the Stillwater Ponies, Ella was familiar with our reputation of trusted care in the community. From surgery through recovery, and in working with Physical Therapists Jackie Gierok and Angie Swanson, Ella was able to her find her footing again and become a star on the NCAA stage.

03/02/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Christopher Larson, TCO Sports Medicine Physician and Minnesota Vikings Head Team Physician, on earning the 2025 Jerry “Hawk” Rhea Award from the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society!�

“This is an incredible honor, and I am extremely humbled to join a list of physicians that I have looked up to and admired for years. However, I honestly see this as a nod to our entire Vikings organization, team physicians, athletic training staff, coaches, nutritional experts, and front office,” Dr. Larson said of the recognition.�

His commitment to athlete health and performance from clinic to kickoff represents the very best of our team. We’re proud to see his leadership and impact recognized on and off the field.

Read more here: Vikings.com/news/team-doctor-christopher-larson-wins-award-jerry-hawk-rhea-2026

02/26/2026

Gymnast Ella Zirbes is the definition of a Stillwater success story.

When a serious Lisfranc injury threatened her Division I dreams, she turned to TCO Stillwater, right across the street from the high school. From surgery to recovery, expert care fueled a comeback that carried her to a state title her senior year and, later, to becoming a three time All American in college.

02/23/2026

From Milan and beyond, our commitment to athletes showed up on the world’s biggest stage.

Driven by the volunteer efforts of our team and the performance leadership of Training HAUS and Twin Cities Orthopedics, we were honored to support elite athletes across sports — from Team USA Curling to Women’s and Men’s Hockey competing at the highest level.

02/20/2026

Mike tore his ACL in 1998. After surgery and a full recovery, he thought he was in the clear. Decades later, he was dealing with arthritis and increasing pain in his knee and was considering a total replacement.

“I scheduled a consult with Dr. Brian Bjerke at TCO. He made it clear that while the surgeon matters tremendously, my success depended just as much on me. I needed to be as strong and flexible as possible going into surgery and remain consistent with physical therapy afterwards. So, I started working out and doing PT before I even had my surgery.

I give the entire TCO team tremendous credit, and I'm proud of the work I put in pre-and post-surgery. Within a month, I was back working in the yard and attending my son’s high school games. The entire process was scary, but I am so happy with the results.”

Twin Cities Orthopedics provides comprehensive orthopedic specialty care at over 40 convenient clinics in the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin.

02/18/2026

Strolling the streets of Venice without pain. Melody turned to Dr. John Tanner to help make her dream trip a seamless experience.

“Dr. Tanner performed a minimally invasive bunionectomy on my right foot in early February. Eight weeks later, I was walking 15,000+ steps per day in Venice with my husband and grandson. I hardly recognize my foot without the bunion, corns, and calluses. I highly recommend Dr. Tanner and his team.”

Twin Cities Orthopedics provides comprehensive orthopedic specialty care at over 40 convenient clinics in the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin.

02/12/2026

When a summer scooter ride ended in a crash, Harper found hope in a familiar face.

“It was supposed to be nothing more than a quick ride to the store, but a small crack in the sidewalk changed everything. I went down, and just like that, plans for basketball, boating and endless outdoor fun were put on hold.

I broke my radius and dislocated my ulna, which led to a long night in the emergency room. They coordinated with Twin Cities Orthopedics and shared my case with Dr. Amy Moeller, who had treated me earlier that spring for a basketball-related thumb injury. By the next morning, Dr. Moeller’s team had reached out, and surgery was scheduled for the following day.

What followed was not just recovery. It was a mental and physical grind.

1,630 hours watching practices from the sidelines. 5,000 right-hand-only shots. 540 minutes of one-on-one, controlled basketball training. 350 minutes of right-hand-only ball handling. 12 physical therapy appointments.

After 97 mentally and physically exhausting days, I was finally given the green light to play basketball again, fully, freely and without restrictions. There were days I asked, ‘Why me? Will I ever get back?’ With the incredible support of the staff at TCO and everyone around me, I kept pushing.

All of that work paid off. In my first game back, I scored 14 points. That moment did not happen alone. It was made possible by the incredible care from Dr. Moeller and her team, the TCO hand therapy staff, and an unwavering network of family, trainers, coaches, teammates and friends.

What started as a simple summer outing became a powerful reminder of resilience, faith, and just how much heart it takes to fight your way back to the court.”

Twin Cities Orthopedics provides comprehensive orthopedic specialty care at over 40 convenient clinics in the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin.

02/10/2026

Tim thought his bow hunting days were over, until Dr. Andrew Ockuly gave him a second shot.

“I injured my shoulder and tore my rotator cuff. For two years, I went through physical therapy hoping to regain enough strength to shoot my bow, pheasant hunt, and compete. Unfortunately, with the combination of the rotator cuff tear and arthritis in my shoulder, PT wasn’t getting me back to shooting or doing any overhead work.

I decided to get a second opinion at TCO and met Dr. Andrew Ockuly in Vadnais Heights. I was very impressed. He recommended a total reverse shoulder replacement. I was worried I’d never shoot my bow again, but Dr. Ockuly, who is a bow hunter himself, assured me he’d get me back to it.

I had the surgery in May, and by October, I was bowhunting with my vertical bow again. Dr. Ockuly, his PA Anne Merrill, the PT staff, and everyone I encountered at TCO were excellent. Thank you for making it possible for me to continue doing the things I love.”

Twin Cities Orthopedics provides comprehensive orthopedic specialty care at over 40 convenient clinics in the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin.

02/04/2026

Beloved TCO Stillwater & Woodbury Dr. Andrea M. Saterbak has been a consulting physician for the U.S. Ski Team since 1998. This year, Dr. Saterbak headed to Flachau, Austria, as the team physician for the Women's World Cup slalom, where she supported Mikaela Shiffrin, who took first place, and Paula Moltzan, a local legend and Buck Hill Ski Team alumna who took second place.

And there is more reason to celebrate with both women on their way to Milano Cortina to represent Team U.S.A. as part of the women's Alpine Ski Team at the XXV Olympic Winter Games.

Cheers to Team U.S.A., and congratulations to Dr. Saterbak on nearly 3 decades of supporting this inspiring team.

02/02/2026

From back injury to back on the ice, our ACE Hockey Rehab Program helped Waconia's Kylar Cox return with confidence.

“When a hit from behind sent me crashing into the boards, I knew something was wrong. I had two fractures in my back and turned to TCO Physical Therapist John Bottoms because of his hockey expertise.

What stood out about the ACE program was how it combined in-clinic physical therapy with on-ice rehab. We worked on strength, stability, and movement in the clinic, then took it straight to the ice to practice real hockey situations. Those on-ice sessions helped me get back to full speed and feel comfortable playing again.

I wasn’t just returning healthy. I felt like a better player than before.”

Twin Cities Orthopedics provides comprehensive orthopedic specialty care at over 40 convenient clinics in the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin.

01/29/2026

For Joe, recovering from a hip replacement at the Orthopedic Institute, a partnership between TCO and Ridgeview, made all the difference.

“The service at the Orthopedic Institute starts at the front door. The entrance staff were ready to answer questions and provide directions. When we arrived on our designated floor, the greeting was warm and welcoming. No waiting, just ‘How are you?’ and ‘How can we help?’

The nursing team quickly brought us back to begin the process, offering a wheelchair to make it easier to reach the pre-surgery room. Once inside, the nurses immediately started pre-op preparations. Their expertise put us at ease. This staff is different from a general hospital. They are highly trained in orthopedic care. They knew how to provide the support and care that gave me confidence in a successful surgery and the chance to return to what I love, hiking in the mountains.

I have had two knee replacements, and based on my experience, I will always choose the Orthopedic Institute first.”

Twin Cities Orthopedics provides comprehensive orthopedic specialty care at over 40 convenient clinics in the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin.