Dr. David Cheong, M.D.
Contact & Location
727-461-6026
Clearwater, FL 33756
Dr. Cheong performs more knee replacement procedures than 92% of orthopedic surgeons in Florida, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #30 of 406 ranked knee surgeons in Florida.
About Dr. Cheong
Practice. Dr. David Cheong is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Clearwater, Florida. The latest annual CMS data records 110 knee replacements and 29 hip replacements, 139 procedures in all. That is #30 in Florida for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 11 years. Volume rose from 13 procedures a year to 139, up 969%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 110 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 45.
Local context. Clearwater has 12 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 23 | 20 | 0 |
| 2017 | 40 | 29 | 0 |
| 2018 | 33 | 42 | 0 |
| 2019 | 35 | 37 | 0 |
| 2020 | 36 | 37 | 0 |
| 2021 | 23 | 25 | 0 |
| 2022 | 38 | 57 | 11 |
| 2023 | 48 | 84 | 0 |
| 2024 | 29 | 110 | 0 |
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims are one payer stream among several, and the share they represent differs by procedure. In 2024 it was 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement. Each verified count above is divided by its own procedure's range, and the results are added, to estimate total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count is the definitive, audited figure; this is a range derived from published national volume projections, not a measurement, and an individual practice can sit well outside it: how these ranges are derived, and their sources.
How Dr. Cheong Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Florida state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Cheong's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 969% from 13 procedures in 2014 to 139 in the most recent data.
Hospital Affiliations & Quality
Quality ratings and complication rates are hospital-level metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon performance. Star ratings updated quarterly. Complication data covers a rolling 3-year period.
Patient Resources: Preparing for Knee Replacement
If you are considering knee replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
An overview of current surgical approaches including robotic-assisted and minimally invasive techniques, implant options, and expected outcomes.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Joint ReplacementA practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
Outpatient Joint Replacement: A Medicare GuideHow outpatient joint replacement works under Medicare, including eligibility criteria, cost differences, and what to expect with same-day discharge.
Knee Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after knee replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full knee replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Cheong
How does Dr. Cheong's procedure volume compare to other Florida surgeons?
Dr. Cheong has performed 139 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Florida average of 72 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Cheong ranks #70 out of 523 orthopedic surgeons in Florida.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Cheong perform?
Dr. Cheong's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (110 cases) and hip replacement (29 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Cheong in Clearwater?
Yes. There are 12 orthopedic surgeons in Clearwater in the current Medicare dataset. Patients can compare procedure volumes and specializations to choose the surgeon who best fits their needs. Use the state page to view all Florida surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Cheong represent?
The procedure counts shown are based on 2024 Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Medicare fee-for-service is only one payer stream, and the share of national volume it represents differs by procedure. In 2024 the share was 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Cheong's total volume across all insurers at roughly 480 to 590 procedures against the 139 verified here. Those shares are derived from published national volume projections rather than quoted from a single publication, and they are estimates with real uncertainty. The OrthoProcedures methodology page shows the full derivation, the sources, and the limits at orthoprocedures.com/data-methodology.html.
Has Dr. Cheong's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Cheong's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 13 procedures in 2014 to 139 in the most recent data, a 969% increase over 11 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 139 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Cheong perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Cheong's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (110 cases), hip replacement (29 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Cheong affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Cheong is affiliated with Morton Plant Hospital, Adventhealth North Pinellas, St Anthonys Hospital, Adventhealth Tampa, Adventhealth Carrollwood.
How does Dr. Cheong compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Clearwater?
Among the 12 orthopedic surgeons in Clearwater, Dr. Cheong ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Clearwater has 166 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Cheong practices?
Morton Plant Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Adventhealth North Pinellas (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); St Anthonys Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Clearwater, Florida
Dr. Cheong's 139 Medicare procedures are above the Clearwater average of 134. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Clearwater.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. John Kilgore | 166 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Whiddon | 161 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Andrew Cooper | 153 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Aaron Koslin | 138 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Mitchell Herrema | 110 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Scott Wisotsky | 72 | Shoulder |
Patient Resources & Verification
Research reviews, verify credentials, and check official quality data through these trusted sources:
Medicare Care Compare and NPI Registry are official U.S. government sources. Google reviews reflect user-submitted feedback. OrthoProcedures.com does not verify the accuracy of third-party review content.