Patient Testimonials

As a 12 year old with scoliosis and spondylolisthesis, I was honestly terrified to have to undergo a major surgery to correct it. I'm very thankful to have had Dr. Cronen by my side throughout the whole experience. He is very kind and helped me to feel a lot less worried about my surgery. The main thing I was afraid of going into surgery was that I wouldn't be able to dance again since it is such a huge part of my life, however just a couple months after the procedure I was doing perfectly fine, and I was even dancing at home and doing things like handstands and cartwheels. Now, 2 years after my surgery I am back to dancing and I'm doing better than I ever was before. Recently I have also been able to go back on pointe, which I missed after having to stop dancing for about a year. If it wasn't for Dr. Cronen I would definitely not be in the amazing state I'm in today and I am forever grateful to have such an amazing doctor.

I suffered from severe sciatic pain in my right leg for seven months. During that time I had gone to two chiropractors, had three spinal injections, and two months of physical therapy with no improvement. I went to see Dr. Cronen on May 23rd, and on May 29th I had my surgery. I entered the hospital early on that morning, and walked out pain-free just after noon that same day! Two weeks later I was able to get back on my road bike, and just four weeks after that I was able to ride 40 miles again. On the last week of July my wife and I participated in the RAGBRAI bike across Iowa. For me this was a life-changing procedure and I owe it all to Dr. Cronen. Thank You Dr. Cronen for returning me to my normal life!

My husband and I have been Western Square dancing for about 25 years, but the past 2 years I’ve had a problem with my legs and feet going numb and feeling like I’m going to collapse. I was diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis and tried various treatments, physical therapy, massage therapy, lost 20 plus pounds and had cortisone injections in my spine- nothing helped. On December 12th, 2013 Dr. Cronen and Josh did a laminectomy, spinal fusion and inserted 2 pins in my spine. Seven weeks from the day of my surgery I square danced again! Oh, it felt so good!! Thank you Dr. Cronen, Josh, all your staff and the staff of AdventHealth, Tampa.

Dr. Cronen is the best orthopedic back specialist I have ever met. When I came to him I had already had 4 surgeries on my spine. The first one was on the day I was born. I had been seeing an orthopedic and a neurologist as well as a pain management doctor. I was not receiving any relief. Dr. Cronen agreed to see me after 5 or 6 other doctors refused to do the surgery that needed to be done. I was out of work and going from walking without assistance to using a cane, and finally to a walker, the next step was a wheel chair for life. Dr Cronen removed the existing hardware and replaced it with new hardware. I am walking now with some pain. Thank you Dr. Cronen and all your staff. I still can’t work but at least he kept me out of a wheel chair. God bless you,

Geoff, as he likes to be called, is without a doubt, the best surgeon that I’ve dealt with.  Both he and his knowledgeable staff, Tasha and Josh, were genuinely concerned with my health, both physically and mentally. He listened to my every issue and explained every one in details which were easily understood. After my surgeries, he spoke with my wife, Belinda, and reassured and comforted her as he explained the outcome. My wife and I think that Geoff Cronen is the perfect doctor: he is professional and down to earth, mixed with the passion for his profession that you want a doctor to have. We not only consider him my doctor, but also our friend.

When I first met Dr. Cronen I was already in physical therapy again as I had been on and off since 1999 when I was first diagnosed with herniated disc in my neck. The struggle of trying to stay out of pain had become a loosing battle and it was beginning to seriously affect my ability to ride my motorcycle. To say the least, I was extremely skeptical because the last time I’d spoken to a surgeon in 2000 I was told I had a 50/50 chance of walking again, which is why I was totally against surgery and just dealt with the pain. Dr. Cronen came highly recommended by my physical therapist as one of Tampa’s best orthopedic surgeons and now I couldn’t agree more. I set up the appointment no knowing that it would change my life. Meeting Dr. Cronen, he reviewed my history and gave me options that I’d never been exposed to before. He explained thoroughly exactly what he could do for me and gave me a little background on what he had done for others. I took a few days to absorb all of this new information and called for a followup visit so I could schedule neck surgery as a birthday present to myself. Dr. Cronen is a man of his word… surgery would be just a couple of hours and I’d be in the hospital overnight. I left the hospital with instructions to keep my neck brace on for the following 7 weeks but to limit my activities for just the first couple of weeks. I followed his instructions to the “T”. When going in for my 7 week check-up… he said things were healing fine and that I could start going without the neck brace and resume activities “as normal”. Immediately, I was excited to get back to life because the neck brace was extremely uncomfortable. I asked specifically about riding my motorcycle and he was very encouraging!! So I was out of pain and able to turn my head without any loss of motion (I do believe this is from doing as Dr. Cronen instructed) and I have been riding again since January 2012. November 3rd it was a year since my surgery and I am still doing extremely well… without any loss of motion, without any pain (with the exception of tylenol) I have been drug free for the whole year… the first time since 1999 and I owe it all to Dr. Cronen!! He has given me back a life to enjoy and cherish. I highly recommend Dr. Cronen because he is not just an awesome surgeon, he actually cares about his patients and wants to help others have a good healthy life also. He has my utmost respect and admiration for who he is and what he does for others.

Dear Dr. Bonehead, Oops! I mean.. Dear Dr. Cronen, I have been home 2 weeks today! I am feeling so very thankful to have the surgery behind me! Every day is a new and different part of this recovery journey. It look a while, but all of my “systems” appear to be working on their own! I really did not have any notion about the importance of my digestive/elimination processes. I will never take those functions for granted again! I look at myself in the mirror and cannot believe it’s me. My hips are level – my back hump is gone. My scar is almost completely healed. I am noticeably TALLER! I am so grateful to Dr. Bridwell’s office for giving me your name! I trusted you completely from the first day I met you. Thanks for letting me meet your beautiful daughter. Thank you for your surgical expertise- your many hospital visits – your honesty – your comfort and care in the hospital. Thanks also to Josh for the gentle care he provided! I am forever grateful. Happy Holidays. I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I am including you on my list from now on! Gratefully and fondly.

Dear, Dr. Cronen, I just wanted to say thank you for doing my surgery under 3 1/2 hrs. That was so freakin’ cool!! My parents are so thankful that you did an amazing job on my back! I was so blessed to have an awesome surgeon like you! Thank you a zillion times!! Love, The C. Family

Dr. Cronen is not only a highly skilled surgeon, he is a caring, considerate person. He assessed my injury quickly and accurately. He explained all of the treatment options and the long term ramifications of each one, then left the final decision up to me. His surgical work is second to none, he personally visited me every day I was in the hospital for 2 separate spinal surgeries. It was obvious that he was concerned not just about the surgical outcome, but my overall quality of life following both surgeries. He explains medical information in terms that are easily understood and was more than happy to answer every question I had. He was patient and kind, never rushed through an appointment and always made me feel like I was his only patient. His kindness, knowledge and sincere sense of humor made experiencing a major spinal injury just a little bit less scary and stressful. After many years of living with excruciating pain, he has been able to return me to near normal life with little to no pain at all. I am grateful to have such a wonderful spine surgeon!!

Dr. Cronen performed surgery on my lumbar spine in 2016. My two year follow up was last week and my progress continues to exceed my expectations. Prior to seeing Dr. Cronen I’d been diagnosed with osteoarthritis and stenosis. I’d tried physical therapy and a corticosteroid injection to relieve my pain and discomfort. Both provided some relief but my condition continued to degrade. I’m an avid runner and enjoy racing. I’d reached a point where I could no longer pursue these activities. After reviewing my MRI and treatment options with Dr. Cronen I chose surgery since it appeared to provide the best chance for long term relief. Ten months after surgery I participated in a 5K race for the first time in over three years. I won my age group in that race and have raced several times over the last fourteen months with results I never expected to be able to achieve. Dr. Cronen fixed my spine and I put in the post-op work he recommended to insure I’d have the best possible outcome. Dr. Cronen has wicked amazing skills and thanks to him I am now living a life I previously thought unattainable.

Dr. Cronen has been an excellent orthopedic to our daughter since she was 15. He helped her with her scolosis and she is doing great. If I could give Dr. Cronen an award for his excellent quality work, he deserves it. Thank you Dr.Cronen for all you do.

I had surgery by Dr. Cronen. He is awesome! Love everyone at Florida Medical Clinic!