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Christopher J Whalen

Christopher J Whalen, MD

Hip and Knee Orthopedic Surgery

Accepting New Patients

Highlights

Age Groups Seen

  • Adult 21-65
  • Older Adult >65

Languages

  • English

Gender

Male

About Christopher J Whalen

Care Philosophy

I aim to treat my patients like they are family and meet them where they are at. I put an emphasis on education, so my patients understand their diagnosis and treatment options.

Personal Statement

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, watching Wisconsin sports and being outdoors, including hiking, boating and running.

Clinical Interests

  • Fracture care
  • Hip and knee replacement (primary, post-traumatic, complex and revision, including direct anterior total hip arthroplasty)
  • Metastatic cancer to bone
  • Minimally invasive surgery
  • Orthopedic infection
  • Partial knee replacement
  • Robotic joint replacement
  • Same-day discharge joint replacement

Video

Locations

  1. Emplify Health La Crosse Orthopaedics
  2. Emplify Health Onalaska Orthopaedics

Expertise

Education

  • Fellowship: University of Virginia Medical Center, Adult Reconstructive Fellowship, 2021
  • Residency: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Orthopedic Surgery, 2020
  • Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin, 2015

Board Certifications

  • Orthopaedic Surgery: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, 2023

Insurance

Please contact the doctor's office directly to confirm acceptance of insurance. *denotes Medicare Advantage Plan
Search plans
  • Aetna Health Management
  • Amerigroup Iowa Inc
  • Anthem BCBS WI
  • Arise Health Plan/ WPS
  • BCBS MN
  • Benefit Plan Administrators
  • Care Wisconsin
  • CIGNA
  • Community Link
  • Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire
  • HealthEOS by Multiplan
  • Healthpartners, Inc
  • Independent Care Health Plan Medicaid
  • Medica IFB
  • Meritain Health
  • MHS Health
  • Midlands Choice
  • Quartz
  • The Alliance
  • Tricare West
  • Ucare Minnesota
  • United Healthcare Inc.
  • WCA Group Health Trust
  • Wellmark BCBS IA
  • Wisconsin Physician Services

Ratings & Reviews

4.9 out of 5

139 ratings, 45 reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

Provider Explained Things Clearly
Provider Listened Carefully
Provider Gave Easy to Understand Instructions
Provider Knew Medical History
Provider Showed Respect
Provider Spent Enough Time
Search reviews
    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/5/2026

    Dr Whalen was so kind to answer my questions and so patient and I am so confident heading into the surgery after meeting him. The last thing he said was "we will take good care of you." I feel so fortunate he is doing the surgery. Thank you.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/3/2026

    Dr Whalen, I feel, takes a personal interest in my care. I would not trust anyone else with my knee replacement . I appreciate the whole care team. Thank you.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/31/2026

    I had gone to the wrong X-ray dept (Imaging services) instead of X-ray within Orthopedics. Everyone helped me get to the right place while avoiding delay.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/10/2026

    I have never seen Dr Whalen before ,but the minute he came in the room I felt he had my best interest in mind. He listened carefully, explained what he would do so that I understood it completely. Wonderful Doctor!!!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/28/2026

    Dr Whalen was nice, listened intently, knowledgeable, provided answers to all my questions. He was very professional.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/27/2026

    Excellent

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/27/2026

    ir was perfect

    4 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/27/2026

    MD Whalen in a good mechanic and I do trust him with my bones however this second hip endeavor turned into a much more involved surgery and recovery. He helped me through in performing a rework of the cup but it still feels like a long recovery.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/21/2026

    Dr. Whalen is AMAZING!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/23/2026

    Great medical treatment and customer experience, as always.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/16/2026

    Dr. Whalen and staff answered all my questions with care and respect. When I explained that I don't hear so I mostly read lips, Dr. Whalen repeated while looking right at me. I appreciated that effort.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/16/2026

    It was nice to have X- ray in the department

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/13/2026

    Dr Whalen was very efficient, explained all test results and listened to my concerns. Answered all questions I has. Was very satisfied with him.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/9/2026

    I asked Dr. Whalen for a second opinion prior to having surgery. He was honest, forthright, didn't sugarcoat anything, answered all of our questions. I was amazed that he spent as much time with us as he did.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/9/2026

    He is a keeper

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/23/2025

    The process was very efficient and thorough. Good information about the upcoming surgery and process. Thank you.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/11/2025

    The check in person look like he didn't really want to be there. Expressionless.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/5/2025

    Dr Whalen is always a big help to me. He listens to about my aches and does what we need to make things better for my day to day pain. The nurses are always friendly and I have nothing but good things to say about them and Dr. Whalen. In fact my sister is now coming to Dr. Whalen for a surgery.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/21/2025

    Everyone was awesome

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/4/2025

    Way too many repetitive questions on the online check-in

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/24/2025

    Great!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/24/2025

    Everything about my visit went smoothly. No excess waiting and the staff was polite and efficient. Thank you for providing excellent care!

    4 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/17/2025

    It was pleasant. Nice to be able to get coffee after appointment in the Onalaska clinic lobby to take home

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/18/2025

    I felt very comfortable with the whole experience.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/14/2025

    Having trouble with pass word and will be calling the beginning of next week week.

    4 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/14/2025

    Appreciate being rescheduled quickly after my appointment was canceled this week and I am normally seen an Onalaska and was very surprised at how quickly I was seeing and how quickly the appointment went in lacrosse despite how busy they were

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/18/2025

    I only waited a few minutes for my appointment. Dr. Whalen was very nice and answered all my questions.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/17/2025

    Dr. Whalen and staff are awesome!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/14/2025

    Dr. Whalen was exceptional! Friendly, professional and knowledgeable! Explained the problem and the treatment plan. Would return to see Dr. Whalen

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/10/2025

    Everyone from the person who greeted us at the door (who also helped us with directions), the receptionist, Imaging Tech, nursing staff and provider were extremely friendly and professional.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/19/2025

    Dr W was Fabulous as usual! Listen to my questions after first the xray's was done. Very helpful to get ahead of everything and took care of the issues I raised, helpful at getting the problem with MRI'S to get finally straightened out. We will go from there what is n. Gave me cortisone shot in right knee to help with the pain. He would definitely get 5 stars!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/3/2025

    Mychart is a joke - impossible to access.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/14/2025

    Dr. Whalen covered everything very throughly and answered all of our concerns.

    1 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/14/2025

    The Dr. Is someone I'd never go back to. He doesn't like (I believe ) like older people like me. Just because I he didn't get he's way about weight. At least the appointment didn't take more than 15 minutes.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/26/2025

    Dr. Whalen is knowledgeable and friendly.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/15/2025

    Dr. Whalen is awesome. He was great with the operation and everything. The only thing you could improve is doing a little better with prescribing medications after. Some of those are just too strong. They got me very sick.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/13/2025

    Thank you, Dr. Whalen

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/13/2025

    Having to use my password again with the new changes was annoying.It wasn't saved and with injuring my leg, it took time to find it and start the check in process again. That went fine, it was just the password glitch. Otherwise the process was shorter and I appreciated that.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/29/2025

    I was very pleased with Dr. Whalen and his medical assistant and his nurse and I look forward to working with them. Thank you.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/27/2025

    Still have need of pain management advice while waiting to meet the profile for surgery.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/25/2025

    Everyone was very professional and courteous .

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/25/2025

    EXCELLENT CARE!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/14/2025

    I found my experience very helpful, very informative. The doctor made things easy to understand and I appreciate all their help. All the staff was courteous and very helpful. So I thank you all very much.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/11/2025

    Dr.Whalen always listens and explains things so I understand and is always open to my questions and concerns.He is a very caring physician.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/1/2025

    Dr. Whalen is always so professional and his staff is courteous and helpful.

Need help scheduling? Call 608-775-2276