Top skilled Surgeon. I trust him with my life. My 2002 thoracic surgery has allowed me to finish our my career and not be a in a wheelchair

Submitted Aug. 16, 2023

I was born with scoliosis and had managed to avoid back surgery, but at 72, I found that the combination of old age and arthritis was causing my condition to deteriorate rapidly (particularly in the last 2 years). When I was younger, I was about 6’3” and before surgery I had shrunk (compressed) to 5’10” and was in a lot of pain. I was having trouble just getting out of bed and athletic activities I had done my whole life were excruciatingly painful. I still continued to snow ski, play paddle tennis, racquetball, and softball but I suffered and my abilities were greatly compromised. I found even swimming to be painful and so I began to research physicians and treatment options. I saw 4 different surgeons but my wife and I agreed that Dr. Kropf had all the qualities we were looking for and we both felt comfortable and confident with Dr. Kropf and the entire Cedars Sinai Team. I was facing major spinal surgery and major surgery is always a risk so I wanted the best and we chose Dr Kropf.

In mid-July of 2021 I had the first surgery, an Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) and 3 days later I had a spinal fusion that required 4 rods and too many screws to count. Make no mistake about it, that first week I was in more pain than I had ever imagined possible (Think of a really bad car accident & on a pain scale of 1-10 this was more like a 99). Dr Kropf had repeatedly warned me but the intense pain was still a shock.

The first day a walk to the door of the hospital room and back on a walker had my whole body sweating & shaking and every time I tried to stand, I felt light headed but I kept with the program and continued to walk daily. Each day I tried to walk a longer distance and more frequently and by the time I was released to the inpatient rehab center I was able to walk easily and was walking 4-5 times daily. Every day I was in the hospital, Dr. Kropf or one of his staff and all the surgeons on his Cedars team checked on my progress (This included the other spinal surgeon, my Internist & the vascular surgeon).

Directly from the hospital I was transferred to Cedars Sinai inpatient Rehab center. Cedars took care of everything. I spent 2 weeks in rehab which was essentially wake up, have breakfast, then 2 separate PT/OT sessions then nap before lunch, eat and 2 more sessions of PT/OT, have dinner and get
some rest to do it all over again the next day. I am home now (it’s been almost 4 months) and I still walk daily and workout for about ½ hour each day. I am pain free and need to thank Dr. Kropf for giving me my life back. All the money in the world could not give me more time or a better quality of life, but Dr. Kropf gave me both.

Submitted Nov. 17, 2021

I have suffered with pain and back spasms for my entire adult life. At age 17 I was told I would need surgery to correct my scoliosis when I was 50. I saw many drs who referred me to pain management until finally finding Dr Kropf (at age 50). My only regret is that it took so long to find him and get my spine fused. My spine was fused and healed for 5 months but I pulled out something and needed a revision add on to my lower back. This led to about 10 months of healing total. Now? PAIN free! Best decision, just wish I had found him sooner. Seems like most surgeons were scared to operate on me prior. He did a fantastic job and it has changed my life. When you have pain for so many years, then to have none is astounding. I highly recommend and trust this Dr

Submitted Feb. 20, 2018

I had lower back scoliosis along with disc deterioration in my neck & spine Dr. Kropf explained everything to me the pros & cons but I was at a point physically with the pain that I had to do something there was no going back. 10 1/2 hour surgery and seven days in the hospital. It was hard getting through it no picnic but it was the best decision I made I'm better off!

Submitted Sept. 14, 2017

We have been seating inside this doctor's office for 2 and a half hours with my 91 years old mom, waiting for the doctor. I think it is very disrespectful of someone's time to have us wait. Or anybody to wait that long. We made an appointment and we faxed all the information that is needed including all the application. When the doctor walked in he asked the same questions that we answered with the RN, obviously he did not read the file. They said that they were behind, i think they should not accept appointments that they cannot handle. The doctor is very thorough when he was discussing the issue, but, i still will not recommend this office.

Submitted Feb. 26, 2015

I have had two surgeries by Dr. Kropf, a disc replacement and thoracic fusion. He was recommended to me by my wife's cousin, a retired and respected orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Kropf did not rush to surgery. But in both cases, he felt confident surgery could relieve me of my crippling back pain—after all other options were exhausted. I went to other top surgeons who recommended against surgery, but could not offer any alternatives. I opted to follow Dr. Kropf's advice, and I have my life back because of it. My lower back is completely pain free. I have only slight discomfort in the area of my fusion. I am fit, active, able to recreate and travel. I feel like he saved my life, and my entire family is grateful for what he has done for me.

Submitted May 29, 2013

Dr. Kropf suggested surgery for my pain which turned out to not be very effective. When I returned to ask what to do next he said I should wait 2 years before doing something else. I tried conservative therapies and nerve blocks with no lasting results, then consulted some other surgeons who agreed I needed a fusion, that Dr. Kropf's procedure would not work for my condition. Every visit to Dr. Kropf's office was a multi-hour ordeal with no explaination of why he was always hours late. His patient interaction skills are very odd.

Submitted Oct. 4, 2011

Doctor Kropf and his staff are top notch! 2 back surgeries in 2 yrs!! Both were successful and I'm grateful to Doctor Kropf! For those of you who say he lacks communication skills I say who cares! He's an introvert as are most Doctors I have dealt with. I did not go to him seeking his personality,language skills, etc. I went to him to be free of pain! I could careless if Doctor Kropf spoke 10 words to me or a 1,000 my only desire was, Can you help me? And yes he did!! He's awesome!! Barry Wallace (Bakersfield,Ca.)

Submitted May 2, 2011

I had seen 4 orth dr who said my injury was over there skill level each one recomened dr kropf he doesn't talk slot but hid staff make sure you know everything to be comfortable He will answer any question but his staff is highly trained he also get you in an out quick as possible you don't wait hour in the lobby he said he understand the pain were in so he dosen't over book on a scale of 1 to 5 I give him a 10

Submitted March 15, 2011

Dr. Kropf performed my Mother's lumbar spine surgery two years ago. This year he completed her cervical surgery. Dr. Kropf is extremely knowledgable and compassionate and my Mother's surgeries were a complete success. Additionally, her scarring is minimal. This is a medical group which specializes in all types of spine disorders and all their surgeons are world-class. I have recommended Dr. Kropf and the LA Spine Institute to many people and everyone I know who has dealt with the Spine Institute has had very successful surgeries. I have some issues regarding my neck, which I doubt will require surgery, but Dr. Kropf readily agreed to see me and ordered an MRI to investigate further. I would highly recommend Dr. Kropf and the LA Spine Institute.

Submitted Feb. 8, 2010