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  • MeetDr. Cheong

    Voted by Peers as aTampa Top Doctors
    • Board Certified/Fellowship Trained
    • Member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
    • Specializes in Disorders of the Hips & Knees
    • 2013 and 2014 “Attending of the Year” University of South Florida Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
    • The Only surgeon offering a Lateral Total Knee Replacement in West Florida.
  • Get Back to Activities You Enjoy Lateral Approach Total Knee Replacement

  • Regain movement & strengthComplex Joint Reconstruction

  • Restore function with the most intricate procedure Limb Preservation Surgery

  • Diagnosis and Treatment of Malignant & Benign disorders of the musculoskeletal system Orthopedic Oncology

Rotator Cuff Tear

Rotator cuff is the group of tendons in the shoulder joint providing support and enabling wider range of motion. Major injury to these tendons may result in tear of these tendons and the condition is called as rotator cuff tear. It is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain in middle aged adults and older individuals.

Causes

Rotator cuff tear results from pressure on the rotator cuff from part of the shoulder blade (scapula) as the arm is lifted. It may occur with repeated use of arm for overhead activities, while playing sports or during motor accidents.

Symptoms

Rotator cuff tear causes severe pain, weakness of the arm, and crackling sensation on moving shoulder in certain positions. There may be stiffness, swelling, loss of movements, and tenderness in the front of the shoulder.

Diagnosis

Your surgeon diagnoses Rotator Cuff Tear based on the physical examination, X-rays, and imaging studies, such as MRI. Rotator cuff tear is best viewed on magnetic resonance imaging.

Conservative Treatment Options

  • Rest
  • Shoulder sling
  • Pain medication Injection of a steroid (cortisone) and an Local anesthetic in the subacromial space of the affected shoulder to help decrease the inflammation and pain
  • Certain Exercises

Surgery

Rotator cuff repair may be performed by open surgery or arthroscopic procedure. In arthroscopy procedure space for rotator cuff tendons will be increased and the cuff tear is repaired using suture anchors. These anchor sutures help in attaching the tendons to the shoulder bone. Following the surgery you may be advised to practice motion and strengthening exercises.

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Patient Testimonials

Patient Testimonails - David Cheong MD - Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Cheong is one of the best doctors we have ever had, and a real credit to OAWF and Mease Countryside Hospital. His skill and personality are impeccable and when we asked the nurses how they enjoyed working with Dr. Cheong, they couldn’t say enough about his skill and treatment of the patients and nursing staff.