Dr. Chen did a terrific, very meticulous job on my hip replacement surgery. I appreciate his willingness to recommend the surgery based on what he saw on the x-rays even though I was under 50 when he gave me the green light. Now post surgery I can sleep on my side, extend my leg to lie flat on the floor, and put on my shoes and socks without pain. I agree all the x-ray, nursing, and physical therapy staff say Dr. Chen is the best hip surgeon. I am very grateful to Dr. Chen and Jackie and Bonita in his office. read more

I have lived in Berkeley a long time and I know the Berkeley medical community well. When I needed knee replacements, my medical friends and physician husband uniformly recommended Christopher Chen. When I met with him, he explained the procedure thoroughly and answered all my questions. I had knee replacements in 2012 and 2014, and they have been perfect. His follow-up has been very thorough, and his staff is wonderful. It's been a pleasure to have him as my orthopedist and I highly recommend him. read more

Dr Chen preformed an anterior hip replacement last October. The surgery went incredibly smoothly. I was walking within 4 hours o after surgery with no pain in hip and minimal pain at surgery sure. He did a fabulous job. Recovery has been smooth. His office staff professional and friendly. I have no reservations in recommending him. Should I have additional hip or knee issues I would go to him again. read more

Dr. Chen did a total hip replacement for me this summer. I was amazed at how little pain I had and how quickly I recovered. I was out of the hospital within 24 hours, and walking easily with crutches. My recovery has been rapid and thorough. Not only is he an excellent surgeon, he has a terrific support team , a nurse navigator who checked on me frequently post surgery, and the wait time at his office is minimal. My life is so much better, and I have Dr. Chen to thank. read more

Dr. Christopher Chen saved me; his knee revision saved my life after a botched knee replacement. (I regret my initial choice of surgeons and tragic results.) Dr. Chen is highly skilled for those who need best results. Others reviews: Dr. Chen's small office is neat nor is the wait long, his staff is very kind and professional. read more

Dr. Chen and his staff are professional, caring, and always on top of paperwork and insurance. Dr. Chen has been my knee specialist for several years and it is always a pleasure working with him on what are the best treatments for my ailing knees - he is honest and very caring about what he does for his patients. When I am ready for my knee replacement, I know he and his staff will take very good care of me. read more

Never even got to meet this so-called cold fish! I spoke to staff after being referred by my primary doctor. I gave them my insurance info and we set up an appointment. I waited a month. When I got to the office, I was not impressed. Dingy, grimy carpet gray with ground-in dirt and what looked like black gum spots deposited over the decades. Old chairs, also vintage 1972, with sagging seats and a bar under the knees... precisely calculated to make anyone with knee or hip pain extremely uncomfortable. After filling out all the forms and waiting almost 30 minutes, Dr. Chen's staff called me up to the counter to inform me that Dr. Chen had "opted out" of Covered California Blue Shield... the precise plan that I had called Sutter to verify a month before. And that I was welcome to see him... for $300. And while I was in pain, and it is a huge let-down for me not to get started with an orthopedist after waiting so long, the office was so unimpressive that I am actually glad I won't be seeing Dr. Chen. read more

In 2006 I had a hip replacement. I interview doctors before I commit to trust them with my life. He is wonderful in every way and not for one moment have I ever regretted my decision. This is a doctor's doctor which means to me " pure care, " again, in every way. His staff is a great support to both the doctor and his patients.I have always found them to have the courage to be warm and very human in their interactions with me. This includes Dr Chen, and not all doctors have the courage to show their humanity. Only the really good ones do. P.S. This is November 26,2013 and my hip is great. read more

When the pain in my knee got overwhelming at the end of 2008, i was sent to Dr. Chen for "replacement." I looked on line and saw a rather gruesome project. After xrays and measurements, Dr Chen did the job. 5 days in the hospital and lots of physical therapy and i have had a functional knee ever since. His office calls me back every anniversary for a check-up. The staff is warm and friendly and Dr Chen has always been concerned and gracious. -Bobby Koch read more

I do not recommend this doctor. I've seen him twice and both times were not favorable. He appeared disinterested in what I had to say. I had to ask multiple times to review a prior medical record. I had an MRI done with hundreds of images taken of my knee and he only showed me one image and did not offer to show me more or take the time to explain my cartilage degeneration problem in my knee. I did not find him to have a good bedside manner and his lack of interest was enough to rate him unfavorably. I will be seeking a second opinion. read more

My wife and I are extremely unhappy with her experience at Dr. Chen's office. Dr. Chen should understand that his reputation in the community is determined in large part by his staff's interactions with patients. Actions of staff can reflect poorly on the doctor who employs them, even if the doctor is highly skilled in the practice of medicine. read more

I took my partner to see this doctor after she waited over a month for help with hip pain. After sitting in the office, a totally cheap, uncomfortable, barren hole in the wall, the staff told her he doesn't take Covered California health insurance. This is no way to run a Sutter medical practice. read more

Had hip replaced by Dr Chen 4 years ago at the age of 66. At first I was concerned because he used metal on metal without first discussing the options. As the other reviewers say he can be curt and sometimes appear disinterested but he's one heck of a surgeon. After spending years in pain I now have a pain free fully functioning hip. I've had several follow ups, most recently at the University of Miami Medical School by someone who is well published on hip replacement outcomes and he says the surgery was excellent, the placement was perfect and I needn't worry that it was metal on metal. So kudos to Dr. Chen. If my case is an indication of his ability as a surgeon then you couldn't find anyone better. One thing to warn about the spinal anaesthesia -- I wasn't warned that it can block your ability to urinate. Alta Bates nursing staff totally mishandled and gave me copious amounts of water, then couldn't get catheter in. Almost busted my bladder. read more

Dr. Chen did a total replacement of my right knee 10 years ago. I have been seeing him every 1-2 years for checkups. My impression is that Dr. Chen is the best. I would not go to anyone else. My knee replacement was successful and healed quickly. After 10 years, I find every year the knee feels better than previous year. Before I had the replacement, I could not walk more than a block. Now I can walk for miles. He instills confidence when he meets with you, is very professional and answers questions clearly and patiently. He is well liked by the hospital staff. HIs office staff is friendly, extremely efficient and knowledgeable and this has not changed over the ten years I have been acquainted with them. The negative reviews about Dr. Chen and his staff leave me bewildered. The modest waiting room tells me this is a doctor more concerned with impressing patients with excellent medical skills and knowledge than dazzling them with expensive surroundings that say nothing about the quality of the doctor. Furthermore, one generally does not wait long at all. read more

I have had knee surgery from Dr Chen. I'e seen hundreds of his patients as a Physical Therapist, his outcomes are fabulous! I've noticed that his unfavorable reviews are for insurance issues. I have worked with him professionally and as a patient he is a superb surgeon. Ask any nurse or other medical professional in the Eastbay who they would want for their orthopedic surgeon, chances are he's their man. He may be shy but NO cold fish. You want a good outcome. read more

Dr. Chen performed the hip replacement surgery for my left hip this past October as well as my right hip 12 years ago. I stayed with my health plan all these years so I could be sure to have him as my surgeon when the time came for my recent surgery. Dr. Chen is a brilliant surgeon. As many who have suffered for so long with hip issues, I don't know why I waited so long. Absolutely no hip pain post surgery and I can return to normal activities. There is no reason to live your life in pain. He is compassionate, knowledgeable, providing information and answering any questions you might have along the way, pre and post surgery, and follow ups on your progress. The x-ray techs, nurses, and physical therapists hold him in high esteem. When they ask who did my surgery, they say he is the best. His office staff are also 5 stars - professional, accessible, efficient, friendly, helpful, and answer their phones. Never had to wait long before being seen by the doctor. Dr. Chen and his staff are the GOAT of orthopedic surgery! read more

I read the reviews of Dr. Chen, his staff and his office- many are unfavorable. My family has had several surgeries performed by Dr. Chen-and he is the best. I asked for a referral to see him for a second opinion...Yes, I would admit that his waiting room can be updated, but I wasn't even in there long enough to open a magazine (which were current by the way). The staff was pleasant and efficient. Dr. Chen was friendly, upbeat, helpful and honest. He listened to my concerns and questions and answered them all. I even had a few questions after my appointment and called to talk to him. He was busy with a patient and called me back to discuss my new questions. I can't understand why the nasty reviews, unless the people who wrote them were nasty to him. Maybe they didn't love his bedside manner or that he doesn't sugar-coat anything. Is that what counts when you are having a joint replaced-or is it his expertise? I'd go to him without hesitation or second thought. Thank you Dr. Chen! read more

Dr. Chen is the best. I just recently had a total hip replacement and he did a beautiful job. He is very calming and reassuring. He told me I would no longer have the pain I was in, once we did the surgery and he was right ! You also know he is really good when the nurses at the hospital rave about him. read more

A belated review. I had a hip replacement by Dr. Chen two years ago, with an outstanding result. Everything went like clockwork from his office staff (highly efficient) to the surgery, through the follow up care. He gave me all the information I needed, answered all questions, so that I knew what to expect and when. I highly recommend him! read more

Might be very efficient but what a cold fish! If you have any complication or are not in good shape, you're not a candidate for his services. Heartless! read more

Two weeks ago I had a total hip replacement at Alta Bates Hospital. My surgeon, Dr., Chen, did such an excellent job, the outcome completely surpassed my expectations! I am pain free and excited to get my life back on track. The hospital x-ray staff, nursing staff, anesthiologists, physical therapists all raved about this wonderful surgeon. I am blessed to have found his doorway. read more

Fabulous! Excellent! I was first examined by Dr. Chen about 1 year ago. And, I received a total hip replacement (anterior method) a week ago today and feel that Dr. Chen is simply the best. If a family member of mine were to need this surgery I'd urge them to go to Dr. Chen. Honestly, I cannot say strongly enough how careful, precise, clear & thoughtful an experience this was for me with him and his staff! This was extremely well done. I should add that in advance of the surgery when I went to the Alta Bates Hospital to have Xrays taken on a couple of occasions, each time I was told by the Xray technician that Dr. Chen is extremely exacting, precise, and excellent. When I asked how the technician knew this, each of them said they'd been in the operating room with Dr. Chen as surgical nurses and that they very much like working with him, his manner, and respect his precision. read more

Don't go to this office. Staff is okay but the doctor was not good. Knees both are in bad shape and I cannot walk and he says I will be okay in two months. In a lot of pain too. If this is what the doctor gets paid for for doing nothing, I think everyone should join Kaiser because they at least try to help you. read more