Strotz C R, MD

I saw Dr. Strotz twice. First, without an MRI and then with one. He was at Cal Sports Ortho on 2999 Regent in Berkeley where I was originally trying to see another dr but would have had to wait 6 weeks. I opted to see Strotz because I was told he was the veteran knee specialist.
I had fallen hard on concrete with both knees breaking my fall. I was in so much pain I had gone to the ER. I had seen another doctor who had told me there was nothing wrong. I was excited to see Dr. Strotz. One of the new patients questions was about addiction. I am sober but struggled with addiction in the past. Dr. Strotz treated me differently, I want to say of lower status as a result. He kept telling me he couldn’t give me pain medicine (I wasn’t even asking for any). I just wanted to know what was wrong with my knees!
I know this guy is a good doctor. He just seemed to have ZERO interest in helping me. I explained my first doctor wasn’t helpful and he always remarked something like «Well what if I’m not helpful». It was so strange!!!
I begged him for physical therapy, shots, surgery, anything! I cried. He was my second doctor and I was in my second month of pain (knees popping, cracking, pain going up and down stairs, etc.). Do you know what he told me? He told me to «Give him a break». That’s when I realized this guy was not going to help me. I don’t really know what it was that got me on his bad side. Im guessing because of my prior addiction or expressing my displeasure with my first orthopedist. I just want to give a friendly heads up, if he doesn’t like you, he won’t do anything for you.
I found a third doctor. I have been diagnosed with Patellar Femoral Syndrome and Pes Anserine Bursitis. Both are common and easily treated with physical therapy. I can’t believe it took me three doctors to get this and three months of horrible pain. Anyway my point is, beware of Dr. Strotz’s bad side! That is my tip to you.

A friend who has had plenty of experience, recommended that I visit Dr Strotz after I injured my knee. She was everything he said — tall, handsome, beautiful blue eyes, thoughtful and quick to laugh at a bad joke or attempt at wit. Though our first visit was Thursday, his consultative approach — reviewing my MRI results with me and providing plenty of information — inspired confidence and I let him perform surgery on my knee the very next day! The office staff are also very friendly and professional!