Dr. Loree K Kalliainen, MD

About 17 years ago, I saw her for a hand problem. I have always been overweight, despite being an athlete (field hockey, track, and horse rider) in high school, living on a working farm, and taking fitness courses for credit every semester and also exercising. Even though it wasn't my direct problem, just after being questioned about my activities (as they might influence hand swelling), telling her about my current workouts, she asked me, "Have you ever worked out? Do you know what a workout is?" I met such discrimination and anger when a) I frickin was on those sports teams and abosolutely in those college classes where I have the grades on my transcript, and b) it wasn't even directly relevant. She was a jerk to me, disrespectful and out of control. I remember her clearly all these years later. F you, Dr. Kalliainen, I will never forget your ignorance. Thanks for your judgement.

Dr. Kalliainen is a truly gifted surgeon. She surgically corrected my Dupuytren’s contracture with the tiniest stitches I’ve ever seen. She instills confidence in her because she has done these types of hand surgeries many times. Also, Dr. “K” has a fantastic bedside manner and is extremely kind. I also wish to mention the staff in particular Cate LePage who was my Occupational Therapist post surgery.

I had wrist pain for about a month, no injuries. After checking my wrist out Dr Kalliainen diagnosed it as nerve irritation and recommended injection which we decided to do. Injection was painless. She did a great job. Wore splint at night for about month. The injection worked after 1month. Everybody is different, sometimes it takes longer, sometimes faster. No more pain since then. (That was in March). Great follow up, and great nursing staff, fellows and residents. ð???

i have always liked Dr. kalliainen, she does excelent work. She has always been pleasant and informative to me. This time she was very busy so I had to wait longer then I usually have. I wasn't in a big hurry to get anywhere so I was fine with the wait.

had a great minor procedure and really explained process well

Dr Kalliainen was very highly recommended to me with the caveat that she did not have a great bedside manner.I opted to have hand surgery after 18 months of palliative solutions, including cortisone shots and splints. Pre - surgery she was matter of fact about the surgery, and in retrospect really downplayed the effects and complications I would face Throughout she was very pleasant but really uninterested in spending any more time than she thought necessary. She left her staff to answer most questions. She leads with the approach that the physician knows best and is not interested in working with the patient for mutual good results. My surgery was extremely painful - I have a high pain tolerance, but my post surgical pain was excruciating. I was relieved when my hand therapist said that she could tell that I was in a lot of pain for a long time. Dr Kallienan would not extend my pain medication beyond 5 days after surgery, I had to get a prescription from my primary doctor.… When I talked to Dr K about this she proceeded to tell me that percoset goes for $5 a pill on the street, and research shows that most patients just think they need opiates, and get dependent easily. When I asked her if she thought that applied to me and whether she considered individual cases, she was dismissive "we are always learning", but did not moderate her opinion. Later staff in her office told me she is known for not prescribing enough pain meds, and it is an issue in the clinic, since other physicians not only don't agree with her, they have a different prescribing protocol. She seems to be more interested in implementing best methods and getting a critical mass of patients to publish research. She mentioned she now had just enough patients with my procedure to do so. Lucky we! In addition to the pain meds fiasco (and I really only needed 3 more days, but got set back a few more days with having to manage down the pain), she put me in a splint made by a company in which a fellow HP physician is part owner/board member. The splint not only did not fit, it prolonged my recovery - again confirmed by my hand therapist. .I have no problem with her personally, it is just her priorities are misplaced, and they are certainly not on her patients. If I have to have hand surgery again, I would not go to her, and I would not recommend her, My experience with her really compromised my recovery and healing, and it all could have been avoided. I wish there was a way to get this feedback to Health Partners

I had been seeing Dr Kallianen for 2 plus years. She first told me that the shots would take care of the damaged hand nerve. However after several treatments of expensive shots my hand was still in worst shape then it started with. Dr Kallianen the proceeded with three separate surgeries over a 18 month time frame. She told me that she could guarantee any results. After the last surgery my hand was still in pain., she then gave me a medication to calm the nerve down. After three refills she canceled the prescriptions. Now I am in pain and still have the same problem I started with. She seems to be a nice person but she is not the problem solver I thought she would be.

I was misdiagnosed in spite of an EMG, her physical exam and me TELLING her the problem was more complex. She left the country for vacation so was unavailable until my surgery. When I voiced concerned on surgery day, she snapped at me and told me I could cancel because she doesn't like doing surgery on people who aren't comfortable. When I said I had questions, she told me she wasn't a mind reader and if I had any questions it was my responsibility to bring them up. She asked me if I had a patient bill of rights and acted very intimidating. She left me in great pain, and told me to suck in air to manage my pain, even though I had much more extensive surgery than diagnosed. Before surgery, she said my recovery time would be 3 days. Afterward, she said it would be 90 days -- with no apology or sympathy.