Dr. David Patrick Fritz, MD

I have had two surgery's by Dr. Fritz. A lower back fusion and carpal tunnel surgery. Both were great. He actually listened to my concerns and gave me all the information I needed to make a decision.

Dr. Fritz has done several surgeries on my back. I am a retired laborer and started having problems about 25 years in to my career, I don't think I could have made it to retirement with out him. I went to sleep with a 10 and woke up at a 1 on the pain scale. The first one I was upset with myself for putting it off for years suffering when I could have been out of pain in a couple of hours, There's really no recovery to heal up from beyond a 2 inch cat scratch just in you skin on your back. for the Lapendectomies I've had done. Jay Glidewell

The provider was very unprofessional. His response to a young adult patient in severe, chronic pain and distress was extremely distasteful. The provider failed to answer questions, continually "dancing around" the information. The provider made the comment, "I can make you believe anything I want," when being asked if spinal surgery was necessary. Before the patient agreed to the procedure, the provider stood up and started to walk out while stating, "If nothing else, you can feel better knowing you are helping my kids to go to college." The statement was exceedingly unprofessional and cruel, especially when considering the patient was also a young adult, but one who was battling limitations and a diminished quality of life.

David Fritz did my cervical spine surgery in Topeka at St Francis ....it was a big improvement in pain reduction

Doctor Fritz did a fusion for me at L5:S1 about 6 years ago. I felt he did a very good job. However, a year later I began having problems at L4:L5. After my first discectomy I was in more pain than I had been before the procedure. After another MRI it showed the problem was still there and another discectomy was scheduled. When they went in they found the disc still bulging and a facet joint broken. My pain never went away and another MRI was done. I was told by his assistant Monica, that the MRI showed nothing. Two months later when I finally got in to see doctor Fritz because of continued pain I found out that there was indeed something on that MRI, and it was prominent enough that another MRI did not need to be performed prior to surgery. I told Dr. Fritz of my issue with his assistant and was basically told to deal with it. I was also told that she would be the one checking in on me after my surgery. The day of my surgery my discectomy was scheduled for 8:30AM. I was… not discharged from the hospital until 6:30 that evening because NO ONE from his office ever came in to check on me. After hours of asking if I could be discharged the nurse finally called to get the okay to send me home. I will NEVER go to that office again!

Don't expect to be treated as a patient if you have Workers Comp anywhere in your chart. Two visits with the doctor and if I would have provided my health insurance I'm 99.9% positive I would have been treated like a human. Comments from this doctor "if I was told I had to do nothing but deal with Work Comp, I'd quit". There was nothing but rude comments from him and very unprofessional treatment. There is no way I would recommend him to anyone. Getting an appointment took 3 months for the initial consult; two weeks later an MRI and 6 weeks after that, told there was nothing he was willing to do.

Dr. Fritz is one of the best neurosurgeon's in terms of bedside manner, time spent, promptness, and just all around reassuring you. He is very knowledgeable and I would recommend him to anyone in this area. He has a very calm personality and just wants to make sure that he is as thorough as possible for you. A very professional and detail oriented individual that was much appreciated. He is a blessing.

I would highly recommend this neurosurgeon!

With the exception of an accurate diagnosis, the above questions are largely irrelevant - they do not address the surgeon's skill or technique. This is next to impossible for patients to know. Three different people in the Topeka medical community vouched for David's skill as a surgeon. Based on consultations with five neuro's, my personal impression is that compared to his "peers", David's attention to detail is above average. My one quibble is that there was no post-surgical follow-up. I would go out of my way to seek his services should the need arise.

I tried to make an appointment this morning and was told I can't make one directly. My insurance does not require a referral however Dr. Fritz policy is referrals through other Drs. only!