Patient Reviews

Thank you for choosing Heartland Orthopedic Specialists for your care. We take pride in helping our patients overcome injuries, relieve pain, and return to active, healthy lifestyles.

In this section, you can read stories from patients we’ve treated about their experiences and recoveries under our care.

Read what our patients are saying about Heartland Orthopedic Specialists.

You can also read what our patients are saying about Heartland Orthopedic Specialists by visiting our doctor profiles.

  • “I have nothing but praise for both Dr. Weigel and the entire staff of Heartland Orthopedic Specialists. I have been a patient for my feet, both shoulders for rotator cuff surgery, and my most recent a total knee replacement, which I am in the process of recovering from. It is great to have this kind of facility in Alexandria and to have the great doctors here to handle all of the issues that can come up.”
    – Tom
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  • “Doctor has always given me his educated options, and I have never felt pressured into surgery.  He also discouraged me from surgery once when he thought it was not needed.  Had me try another option and it worked well.  Also have had surgery on my feet by another doctor at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists, and he was very good, and I got a good result.”
    – Mary
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  • “He has been the best since day one wouldn't go to anyone else. Listens and answers my question whether bad or good. Let's me know my options.”
    – Tonya K.
  • “We followed Dr. Andrews from Fergus Falls. He has provided both my husband and myself with the best medical care we could ask for. In addition, he is very, very pleasant to deal with, and listens to our questions and concerns. I have also seen physician assistant Jared McLister several times for a broken wrist and arthritis issues. He is the very best too. He is so pleasant to deal with, and as with Dr. Andrews, he really listens to our questions and concerns, and definitely knows what he's doing.  Dr. Andrews did wonders for my husband's back when we were in Fergus Falls, and his diagnosis regarding my wrist issues. Jared has always treated my pains, and made them go away. We highly recommend Dr. Andrews, Jared, and Heartland Orthopedic Specialists.”
    – Carol F.
  • “I am a 66-year-old female who participates in Community Theater almost every summer. This summer, our group presented "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," the musical. The set was a group of platforms, which were variously used as homes, part of the courthouse, levels in the caves, etc. On the first night of production, I tried something I had NEVER done before, and took a short cut between platforms, and had to get rid of an apron. Holding it in my hands, I obscured the reflective tape on a 4' platform and proceeded to take one step too many in the dark! Hairline fracture. Our local clinic wanted me to wear a "half" cast for four to five weeks. After ten days, I was encouraged to seek a second opinion, and went to Heartland Orthopedic Specialists. Because orthopedics is their specialty, their personnel were professional and so knowledgeable. They did not challenge the diagnosis of my local clinic, but suggested that the cast would not be effective long term. I was allowed to dispense with the cast. When I returned for follow up, x-rays showed that the fracture was healing and I was allowed to start adding weight. That was it. I went to a physical therapist. He said that my range of motion was at least 98%, and that it would not be any more effective to use their services. I feel that Heartland Orthopedic Specialists was instrumental in getting me out of the cast and into a normal range of motion sooner than I had expected. As much as a medical procedure can be enjoyable, my experience with Heartland Orthopedic Specialists was! THANKS!”
    – Catherine L.
  • “I had a great experience with Dr. Weigel and staff. I had a ruptured distal bicep on March 30th, and opted to have surgery done the first week in April. Everything went flawlessly from start to finish. I am now 4 and 1/2 months removed from the procedure, and am at 95-100% recuperated. Everyone involved was very professional, and I would grade my experience an A+. Thanks for the great care!”
    – Todd B.
  • “From the first meeting with Dr. Nelson and into postsurgery, we have been impressed with the entire process. All appointments were completed in a timely fashion. Preoperative instructions from the manual to the meeting were informative and very helpful. The check in was seamless. Postoperative was handled efficiently and with care. Hats off to the entire staff for creating an almost pleasant experience. My recovery has gone according to the book, due in large part to my wife. She is a physical therapist. That's the good news. The bad news is that she is a physical therapist! But we managed to get through the tough parts with little yelling, and we are still together. I would recommend your organization.”
    – Dean G.
  • “I got right in on time. They were courteous and gave a good explanation of problem and treatment.”
    – Gail B.
  • “I had constant pain in both my shoulders. I was referred to Heartland Orthopedic Specialists for shoulder replacement surgery. Dr. Nelson was my surgeon. Now, I don't have any pain and they feel great. I'm back to work now and don't have any problems. I would recommend Heartland Orthopedic Specialists and Dr. Nelson to anyone who has shoulder pain. It was a great experience for me. Everybody at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists is very nice and friendly. I would do it again. Thanks Heartland Orthopedic Specialists and Dr. Nelson.”
    – Larry B.
  • “"After having ankle pain for 3 weeks and a few visits with Dr. Sticha, found a diagnosis for my foot. I had an MRI, which gave me results after two x-rays. He was very supportive and thorough. He also wants me to follow up with additional treatment to determine bone density." -- Judy H. ”
    – Judy
  • “"Everything went smooth and I'm home recuperating. It gets better every day. It's going as good as the right shoulder I had done in July. I'm very satisfied. Good job all around. Thanks." -- Larry B. ”
    – Larry
  • “"I have been experiencing shoulder pain for about a year. After a family member underwent surgery for a similar issue, I decided it was time to seek professional advice. I received a recommendation from my nurse practitioner and made an appointment to visit to Heartland Orthopedic Specialists. I have to say that they are EXTREMELY organized and professional! After checking in, I settled into a chair in the waiting room and planned to read email, etc. Well, that wasn't the case. I was called within 5 minutes, guided into an exam room, and met with the doctor so fast that I didn't have time to even pick up something to read. I have to tell you that I'm new to the area. I was used to sitting and waiting during every step of an appointment. Not the case here. They were right on schedule. The doctor spent enough time with me, and I felt comfortable. Their office was pleasant and the staff was all extremely friendly and personable. I received a call from my doctor for follow-up and treatment, and I have total confidence in him and his staff. I know I'm in good hands and receiving good care. All in all, it was a good experience." --  Dorothy C. ”
    – Dorothy
  • “"I went to what was my final follow up after what I consider to be my quickest recovery of any of my previous surgeries. Dr. Weigel was amazing. He always made me feel like I was his only patient. He made sure all my questions were answered before the appointment was done. Thanks to all at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists!" -- Tom D.”
    – Tom
  • “"I was having serious pain in my right shoulder. Dr. Weigel replaced my left hip seven years ago. I went to him to see what my shoulder problem may be. Testing showed a torn rotator cuff and a torn bicep tendon. My hip replacement has been so good that I had confidence Dr. Weigel could restore the use of my shoulder. The surgery went well.  I've started rehab and am having great results. I'm excited to see the use of my shoulder coming back to me! Thank you, Dr. Weigel and the whole Heartland Orthopedic Specialists staff!" -- Ray S. ”
    – Ray
  • “"I was having carpal tunnel issues.  Dr. Nelson took great care of me through the entire process.  He fixed me up and I was good as new within minutes after my surgery.  Three days after my surgery, I started using my hand and began to regain strength right away.  I was glad I didn't have to wait forever to use my hand again.  I didn't have to take any time off of work.  It’s been a little over a month and my hand feels amazing. The strength is getting better each day." -- Ashley N.”
    – Ashley
  • “I went in to get my shoulder checked out at 9:30 am and had surgery at 4:00 pm. I had excellent and professional service. Thank You Dr. Brand and your staff.”
    – Mike B.
  • “"When I was 14 years old my parents, bought me my first dirt bike motorcycle. Not too much longer, my little brother got one too. From there it was always a competition to one up each other. Soon we were jumping over the driveway doing little stunts like no handers and no footers. Then it got to a point where we could no longer do anything better, so we built a small wooden ramp in the basement from scrap wood dad had lying around.  We put it out on the hill in the front yard; soon we were jumping 35+ ft distance and about 5ft high. We progressed from watching movies and playing video games. About a year later, we hit the same point and could not progress. So we decided to build a bigger ramp like in the games and movies. Once we started using that, we progressed even faster with the tricks. By then, we were doing superman seat grabs, heart attacks, and other variations at this point. I was about 17 yrs old and my brother was 14yrs old. We found out we could only jump about 45ft distance and 13ft high. So we searched around to get a bigger jump to do more stunts. In Detroit Lakes, MN, we found a pair of bothers just like us. We rode with them at their house and asked them to make us a bigger ramp like they had. One weekend while riding at their house, I got over confident and that’s where the injuries started. My first bad accident, I over jumped the jump, having too much speed, landing in the flats and shattering my right wrist, fracturing my left and rupturing my liver. I spent four days in the ICU at Detroit Lakes Hospital. I was lucky my liver was not torn really bad to where it required surgery, but my right wrist was not so lucky. I had a plate and 4 screws put in. Six weeks later, my brother and I were back out jumping and riding. At this point, we had got our new ramp. The ramp was made out of steel, was 8ft tall, 4ft wide, and 17ft long. We were jumping 75ft distance and 25ft high.  Before long, we were doing most of the tricks we had seen on TV and played in the games. We went to a freestyle dirt bike show in the Twin Cities called Haydays. Not long after watching the event, my brother and I approached the coordinator. We told him that we can do what they are doing but better and would like to do it. He said we cannot at this event but he is having an event in two weeks at Hill city, MN near to Grand Rapids.  At this point I was 18 and my brother was 15.  At the event, we impressed him so much; he wanted us to start doing them for him every few weeks. For the next few years, we did the Haydays event and several others. From there, we caught the attention of others, were sponsored, and received a trip to practice at a professional riders house in Redmond, OR. While we were there, we learned a lot of things received several other sponsorships, signed a contract with a filmmaker, and signed a contract with a clothing outfitter named Slednecks. We went all over the state doing events and even made a trip to New Hampshire for an event. At this point in time, I had been in a few accidents and broke few minor bones. From there, we decided to slow down and not travel as much. We only did the events in Minnesota and now only a few a year. That brings us to 2011. I am 24. I was at the event Haydays. Two weeks before my wedding, I crashed doing a trick called Kiss of Death. This is where you do a handstand on the motorcycle while it’s in the air. The wind caught me and pushed the bike sideways and I missed the bike when I came down and hit the ground. About a week later, the day before my wedding, I was helping my mother-in-law haul straw in the barn. When I stepped wrong, I felt a sharp pain and heard a snap in my left knee. The next time I saw my doctor, I told him about what had happened. He did a few exams and asked me to see Dr. Eric Nelson. He told me that I could of tore my ACL or Anterior Cruciate Ligament in my knee. Well, Dr. Nelson told me that I had completely torn my ACL.  So I got married and spent my honeymoon with a torn ACL. After that, I talked with the doctor and decided that my best option was to have surgery to fix it. I had surgery on Nov. 29th, 2011. The next six months, I spent doing therapy and seeing the doctor. After seeing Brandon and Scott at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists for many months, they cleared me and said I am good to go back to normal life. With the list of nine broken bones, a torn ACL, and ripped liver, I have decided to stop doing all the events and big jumps. I bought a motorcycle for on the road. Now my wife and I enjoy riding together. Its now 2013, I’m 26, and I look back on my time at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists and am very happy with my results. I hope I never have to go back but if I do have to, I’m glad that you’re not to far off and know how to fix me.  Thanks!" -- Jordan T.”
    – Jordan
  • “"My appointment was on time. I was quickly in and out. They informed me of my options. I was also given effective treatment." -- Cheryl K.”
    – Cheryl
  • “Dr. Brand is wonderful!  He did an ACL replacement on my right knee.  He took the time to answer all my questions and was wonderful when I was in the hospital after surgery.  He was patient with me when I came in after surgery with questions and bleeding from the incisions.  Even though I saw Ashley, a trainer, he stopped in.  Also, on my most recent visit, I saw Paul, another trainer. He also was patient with me, answered my questions, and explained everything as best as he could.  The treatment that I have received has been wonderful.”
    – Hope K.
  • “"I made an appointment to find out about pain I was experiencing in my ankle. I thought perhaps it was coming from the bunion that had been changing over several years. I had heard good things about Dr. Sticha, but had never met him. What I liked the best about him was that he was straight-forward, told me what the problem was, and that it might help to have sole supports in my shoes. He wrote up the prescription for them and I was done. No mess, no fuss. That's the way I like it!!!! Thank you and I would definitely return if I have any other orthopedic issues." -- Diane A.”
    – Diane
  • “"My shoulder surgery went well. The constant pain is gone, and I'm currently working on building up enough strength in my shoulder and arm to go bow hunting later this fall." -- Randy B.”
    – Randy
  • “"Because of Dr. Weigel I can garden like a mad woman!" -- Jenny N.”
    – Jenny
  • “"Today, Dr. Nelson did an arthroscopy on my left knee. Everything went as planned and everyone from the staff at Heartland Orthopedics to everyone today for the surgery at the hospital was friendly, knowledgeable, and caring. This was my 4th surgery, and I have always received excellent care and appreciate everything that has been done for me through all of these surgeries. And of course, to Dr. Nelson a big thank you and GO HUSKIES!" --Vicki M.”
    – Vicki
  • “"I am currently doing physical therapy at Heartland following shoulder surgery. The surgery by Dr. Weigel went great, and the people over in the PT unit are wonderful. My recovery is going better than expected, and I hope to be back to full strength soon." --Tom D.”
    – Tom
  • “" My overall experience was great. I was well taken care of. I always felt like I was important and that they wanted to know how things were progressing with my injury. I am very thankful for the care." --Amy H.”
    – Amy