Why is this doctor obsessed with fixing children's spines? I had my spinal fusion by him. The only thing he told me when I was 13 was that "don't worry, you can still get pregnant later" and "most girls have started menstruating by now" (they were waiting for me to begin menstruation to rush me into surgery for scoliosis). At 31 now, I have many problems, chronic pain, am constantly throwing money and time at these issues, and have learned that fixing my spine in place with no treatment of the underlying conditions was the wrong paradigm. Titanium is now incorporated with my central nervous system. Does DR APEL have scoliosis??? Does HE live with a full spinal fusion? Why is this his thing? I believe him to be a particular kind of pervert. Proceed at your or your child's risk.

Submitted July 29, 2022

Best doctor ever , he did a scoliosis surgery to my baby , he gave us the time and patience , i was worried all the time and crying as this is my first time facing something like that, he calmed me down, and told me the best option which is surgery, now after a month i can see my baby doing well , and I would just follow everything he would suggest without thinking, best doctor ever , I highly recommend him. Very experienced and confident.

Submitted June 21, 2021

I had scoliosis surgery with Dr. Apel when I was 16 years old, which was was 24 years ago. He is hands down the best doctor I have ever had. He was kind, genuine, and incredibly skilled. I wish I could find another doctor as incredible as him. Unfortunately, I no longer have Kaiser and cannot go to him. He is truly the very very best!

Submitted June 23, 2016

Dr. David M. Apel is THE BEST scoliosis surgeon in my book. I was diagnosed with Scoliosis at the age of 16, he reversed the damage about 4 months after I was diagnosed. The pain was intolerable, of course. But he was there for my family, and I every step of the way. My parents are from Mexico, and of course... they have never been through this. But he made sure they knew the procedure, and he made me feel like I was in good hands. For all the parents out there, I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Apel. No one else out there will treat your child with the love and care that he does. To the patients who are going to have this procedure done, you are in great hands, and you will get through this. I am 24 now and I tend to forget that I even have it done lol.

Submitted Aug. 14, 2015

Very disappointed. I was very shocked regarding his rude, arrogant attitude.

Submitted Jan. 8, 2015

Dr. Apel and his staff were consummate professionals. From the first appointment, Dr. Apel streamlined the process of understanding how spinal fusion surgery would benefit our daughter. She was an older patient, 23, but her spinal curve progressed and needed correction. He was articulate, reassuring, honest, knowledgable, and empathetic. Most of all he is a superb surgeon who straightened my daughter's spine and in the process, improved her quality of life. I would recommend Dr. Apel to everyone without reservation and indeed scream from the mountaintops, what a great surgeon he is. He is upbeat, encouraging, and empathetic. He has the skills to get the job done.

Submitted May 24, 2014

Dr.Apel was amazing when i had my surgery back in 2001...i was 13 at the time and he explained everything to me so i understood and i was not surprised about anything. Wish i had the same insurance and still lived close enough to still see him...trying to find a doctor for a check up that is knowledgable as him is very tough!!

Submitted Aug. 15, 2013

My daughter was diagnosed with a severe case of scoliosis in the last 2 weeks. We were sent out of town to see Dr. Apel. My daughter's father and I were very impressed and feel very confident with Dr. Apel performing my daughters spinal fusion to straighten her spine. He was very good with my daughter. When he mentioned surgery he is the one that noticed my daughter was very upset. I was concentrating on everything he was telling us I hadn't even noticed that my daughter was crying. He interupted the conversation with us and acknowledged her. My daughter is 14 years old. We are now waiting to hear from Dr. Apels surgery scheduler to get a surgery date. My first impressions of Dr. Apel are great...he knows how to talk to the parents and my child. He was very patient and answered every question and didn't make us feel like any of them were "stupid" questions. He was very thorough when he was explaining everything.

Submitted March 15, 2012

He was able to help me through everything. Scoliosis is no joke and he helped me with it. He's the best!

Submitted Nov. 22, 2011

Dr. Apel performed a spinal fusion surgery when I was 14 or 15 years old. He is incredibly talented and confident in his ablilities. His communication skills are excellent. He is the reason as an adult my family is with kaiser even with all it's downfalls.

Submitted Sept. 22, 2008