About
Dr. Yifun Michele Cheong is a Orthopedic Surgeon. Practicing at Health Sciences North in Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Dr. Cheong is dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-focused care in Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Cheong is licensed by The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and adheres to the highest professional and ethical standards of surgical practice in ON.
Dr. Cheong serves patients requiring specialized orthopedic care as a certified specialist in Orthopedic Surgery, dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of injuries and diseases of the body's musculoskeletal system. This includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves. The goal is to restore function, alleviate pain, and improve quality of life through both surgical and non-surgical means.
Dr. Yifun Michele Cheong earned a Medical Degree from University Of Manitoba, graduating in 1992. Subsequently, Dr. Cheong completed extensive specialty training and achieved Fellowship with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC) in Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Cheong brings extensive clinical and surgical experience to the practice. Dr. Cheong's expertise encompasses Specialty Practice in Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Cheong is committed to ongoing professional development and staying at the forefront of orthopedic advancements to offer the best possible care to patients.
Key aspects of Dr. Cheong's surgical practice philosophy include: a focus on restoring function and mobility, aiming to help patients return to their desired activities as safely and quickly as possible; a dedication to surgical excellence and achieving optimal outcomes for every patient; providing clear explanations of conditions and treatment options to empower patients in their healthcare journey. Dr. Cheong provides consultations in English.
As an Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Yifun Michele Cheong diagnoses and treats a wide spectrum of injuries and conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, including but not limited to:
Sports Injuries
- Meniscus Tears: Treating a common knee injury that can cause pain, swelling, and mechanical symptoms.
- Ligament Tears (e.g., ACL, MCL, Rotator Cuff): Specialized care for common sports-related ligamentous injuries.
- Tendon Injuries (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Biceps Tendon Rupture): Surgical and non-surgical management of acute tendon ruptures and chronic tendinopathies.
- Shoulder Instability and Dislocations: Addressing problems that cause the shoulder joint to slip out of place.
Bone Joint Disorders General
- Tendonitis and Bursitis (Persistent/Severe): Surgical management for chronic or severe cases of tendon inflammation (tendonitis) or bursa inflammation (bursitis) unresponsive to conservative care.
- Bone Infections (Osteomyelitis - Surgical Debridement): Surgical debridement and management of bone infections, often in conjunction with long-term antibiotic therapy.
- Nonunions and Malunions of Fractures: Reconstructive procedures to promote bone healing and restore proper alignment.
Degenerative Joint Diseases
- Avascular Necrosis (Osteonecrosis): Treating bone death caused by a loss of blood supply, commonly affecting the hip, knee, or shoulder, which can lead to joint collapse.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (Orthopedic Management): Addressing the musculoskeletal consequences of autoimmune joint diseases in collaboration with rheumatologists.
Traumatic Injuries
- Complex Musculoskeletal Trauma: Advanced surgical management for high-energy trauma affecting the musculoskeletal system.
- Fractures (Broken Bones): Treating all types of bone fractures in adults and children, from simple breaks requiring casting to complex injuries needing surgical fixation.
- Sprains and Strains: Diagnosing and treating ligament sprains (stretching or tearing of ligaments) and muscle/tendon strains (injuries to muscles or tendons).
This list provides examples of conditions commonly managed. A comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan, which may be surgical or non-surgical, are always based on an individual assessment by Dr. Cheong, typically following referral. If your specific concern isn't listed, please discuss with your referring physician or contact the clinic.
- Non-Operative Orthopedic Care: Providing conservative treatment options for musculoskeletal conditions, including medication management, therapeutic injections, bracing, casting, and referrals for physiotherapy.
- Comprehensive Orthopedic Consultation: In-depth consultation to determine the cause of musculoskeletal pain, instability, or dysfunction and to develop a personalized care plan.
- Knee Replacement Surgery (Total & Partial): Surgical replacement of the knee joint, including total knee arthroplasty and unicompartmental (partial) knee replacement, for severe arthritis or injury.
- Fracture Management (Surgical & Non-Surgical): Managing all types of fractures, from simple to complex, ensuring proper alignment and stability.
- Shoulder Replacement Surgery: Surgical solutions to improve shoulder mobility and reduce pain from severe joint damage.
Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Cheong. Not all services may be listed, and the suitability of any procedure or treatment depends on individual assessment and referral. For a comprehensive understanding or to discuss your specific medical needs, please schedule a consultation.
All surgical and non-surgical treatments by Dr. Yifun Michele Cheong adhere to the scope of practice for Orthopedic Surgeons in ON and the standards of The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).
At Health Sciences North, the focus is on partnering with you to restore function, alleviate pain, and help you return to your desired activities. Dr. Cheong frequently works with patients towards outcomes such as:
- Dr. Cheong often consults with patients whose a shoulder injury from sports that won't heal and keeps them from playing significantly limits their enjoyment of typing, writing, or using tools without hand or wrist pain or impacts their well-being. The clear goal of care is to achieve being able to return to sports or recreational activities they enjoy and thereby restore their active and healthy lifestyle.
- Dr. Cheong provides dedicated support for patients going through a bunion on their foot that's causing a lot of pain, always aiming for positive outcomes like a safe return to work after an injury, so they can comfortably and happily return to a full range of activities such as performing personal hygiene tasks independently.
- Effectively addressing trouble with their Achilles tendon making it painful to walk or run with Dr. Cheong's comprehensive orthopedic approach often leads to the desired outcome of increased stability in an unstable joint, enabling patients to more freely and confidently engage in their child running and playing with friends without limitations and social interactions.
Your personalized treatment plan, whether surgical or non-surgical, developed in consultation with Dr. Cheong, will be carefully designed to help you achieve your specific musculoskeletal goals. Dr. Cheong is committed to providing expert orthopedic care to help you regain mobility and improve your quality of life.
Dr. Cheong's practice, Health Sciences North, is situated in the Downtown, Central neighborhood of Sault Ste. Marie. The clinic is conveniently located near Downtown Sault Ste. Marie and is accessible via Sault Ste. Marie Transit. Please inquire about parking options if you have mobility concerns.
- What does an Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. Cheong do?
- An Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. Cheong is a medical doctor (physician) specializing in diagnosing, treating, preventing, and rehabilitating injuries and diseases of the body's musculoskeletal system. This includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves. They manage conditions such as fractures, arthritis, sports injuries, spinal disorders, and congenital deformities. Orthopedic Surgeons use both surgical (joint replacements, fracture repair, arthroscopy) and non-surgical (medication, injections, bracing, physiotherapy) methods. Their goal is to restore function, alleviate pain, and improve quality of life.
- What can I expect at my first orthopedic consultation with Dr. Cheong at Health Sciences North?
- Your first visit will involve a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. This includes a detailed discussion of your medical history, the specific problem, how it started, what makes it better or worse, and its impact on daily activities. Dr. Cheong will review previous treatments and perform a thorough physical examination. Any prior imaging will be reviewed. Based on this, Dr. Cheong will discuss diagnostic impressions, may recommend further investigations, and outline potential treatment options (non-surgical and surgical), working with you to establish goals.
- Are services provided by an Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. Cheong covered by provincial health insurance (e.g., Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP))?
- Most physician consultations, medically necessary assessments, and approved surgical procedures by a registered Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. Cheong are typically covered by provincial health plans such as OHIP in ON, with a valid health card and appropriate referral. Diagnostic imaging is usually covered. However, some items like certain braces, custom orthotics, or advanced biologic injections may not be fully covered or may have associated fees. Inquire with Health Sciences North about potential out-of-pocket costs and check with your private insurance regarding coverage for adjunctive therapies or devices.
- What is joint replacement surgery, and when might Dr. Cheong recommend it?
- Joint replacement surgery, or arthroplasty, is a procedure where damaged or arthritic parts of a joint are removed and replaced with artificial components (prostheses). Dr. Cheong might recommend joint replacement if a patient has severe joint pain and loss of function due to advanced osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or a significant injury, and non-surgical treatments are inadequate. The goal is to reduce pain, improve mobility, and enhance quality of life.
- How does Dr. Cheong treat broken bones (fractures)?
- Orthopedic Surgeons like Dr. Cheong treat all types of bone fractures. Treatment depends on the type and severity of the fracture, its location, and the patient's overall health. Non-surgical treatment may involve realigning the bone and immobilizing it with a cast, splint, or brace. Surgical treatment might be necessary for complex fractures, open fractures, or fractures unlikely to heal well with casting alone. Surgical options include internal fixation or external fixation. Dr. Cheong will determine the most appropriate treatment.
- How long is the recovery time after orthopedic surgery with Dr. Cheong?
- Recovery time varies greatly depending on the type of surgery, the specific joint or bone involved, the patient's age and overall health, and their adherence to the post-operative rehabilitation plan. Some minor procedures may have a recovery of a few weeks, while major surgeries like total joint replacements can take several months for full recovery. Dr. Cheong will discuss the expected recovery timeline during the pre-operative consultation.
Health Sciences North
955 Queen Street East, Kirkwood Place
Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 2C3
Phone: (705) 945-7575
Dr. Yifun Michele Cheong is a licensed Orthopedic Surgeon in ON, regulated by The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 & Medicine Act, 1991 (Ontario).
License Number: 74270
Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Cheong-Yifun-Michele/0166000-74270
A referral from a family physician or another specialist is generally required to see Dr. Cheong. Dr. Cheong and the team are dedicated to providing expert orthopedic care. If you have a medical emergency, please proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department or call 911.