For Dr. Emily A. Whicker, orthopedic surgery isn’t just a career—it’s personal. As a former collegiate athlete and lifelong skier, she’s experienced firsthand the injuries and challenges that many of her patients face.
Now, as a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine at The Orthopedic Center of St. Louis, she brings that experience home, caring for women and athletes across the region, from local high school students to active adults navigating the changes of midlife and beyond.
A Path Shaped by Sports
Whicker’s interest in orthopedics began on the sidelines of her own youth sports. A multi-sport athlete who played lacrosse through college and started skiing at age 2, she experienced the setbacks of growth-related injuries and ACL tears that required her to spend plenty of time in orthopedic offices.
“I always knew I wanted to be in medicine,” she says. “Both of my parents are physicians, but it was my own experiences recovering from injuries and working to get back on the field that really sparked my passion for orthopedics.”
That path eventually led her to the renowned Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado, where she trained alongside leaders in the field and gained experience caring for elite athletes. She continues that work today as a physician with the U.S. Women’s Downhill Ski Team, traveling internationally to provide medical coverage at high-level competitions.
Building Roots in St. Louis
Although her training and career have taken her across the country and abroad, St. Louis is now home. Her husband grew up here, and together they chose to return to the city to raise their family and invest in the community.
“St. Louis has such a strong sense of tradition and pride; it feels like the right place to put down roots,” she says.
Whicker is especially passionate about working with local high schools, including several of the city’s all-girls schools, because she knows firsthand how formative those environments can be for young women.
“Girls in these schools are absolutely athletes, but they don’t always have the same visibility as football programs,” she says. “Supporting them and making sure they have access to top-level care is really important to me.”
Caring for Men and Women at Every Age
Whicker’s practice emphasizes shoulder, hip, and knee care, including complex reconstructions and arthroscopy. But what sets her apart is her focus on the unique needs of female patients.
“Young female athletes are more prone to certain injuries, such as ACL tears, and I’ve been in their shoes,” she says. “But women also face challenges later in life, from bone health to recovery patterns after menopause. Staying active matters at every stage.”
She recalls a patient in her seventies who once said, “We need doctors to know we need ACLs, too.” That statement continues to fuel her mission: helping women remain active, whether that means returning to competition, skiing on family trips, or keeping up with grandchildren.
A St. Louis Mission
For Whicker, orthopedic surgery is about more than repairing injuries; it’s about building connections. Whether she’s working with a high school athlete, a weekend warrior, or an elite skier on the world stage, she sees her work as part of investing in the health of the St. Louis community that her family calls home.
“I believe every patient deserves care that supports their goals,” she says. “That’s what sports medicine is really about—helping people live fully and actively, no matter their age or stage of life.”
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of The Orthopedic Center of St. Louis, visit toc-stl.com for any questions. To learn more about Dr. Emily Whicker or schedule an appointment, visit whickersportsmedicine.com.
