Abby L.  Cheng, MD

Abby L. Cheng, MD

Assistant Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery

Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Phone Icon

(314) 514-3500

Dr. Cheng specializes in the evaluation and nonoperative management of all musculoskeletal injuries and conditions, with an emphasis in treating young adult hip problems and sports-related injuries.

Common Diagnoses Treated

  • Acute injuries
  • Back pain
  • Foot and ankle pain
  • Herniated discs
  • Hip and knee pain
  • Injuries in musicians
  • Joint, tendon, ligament, and muscle injuries
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Overuse injuries
  • Pregnancy-related musculoskeletal pain
  • Radiculopathy (sciatica)
  • Shoulder and elbow pain
  • Sports-related injuries, including injuries resulting from ultimate frisbee, tennis, basketball and soccer
  • Young adult hip problems

Common Procedures

  • Fluoroscopically-guided injections
  • Musculoskeletal and neuromuscular ultrasound
  • Electrodiagnostic studies (EMG/NCS)
  • Ultrasound-guided injections

Clinical Office Locations 

Hospital Affiliations

  • Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Academic Office Mailing Address

  • Washington University School of Medicine

    Campus Box 8233

    660 Euclid Avenue

    Saint Louis, MO 63110

Research Interests

Young adult hip disorders, comprehensive patient-centered musculoskeletal care, lifestyle medicine approach to musculoskeletal care, acupuncture, mobile health (mHealth) technology and disparities in musculoskeletal care.

Ongoing Research Support


Predicting Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients with Pre-Arthritic Hip Disorders
Doris Duke Fund to Retain Clinical Scientists (Doris Duke Charitable Foundation)
Cheng, Abby L (PI), 12/1/20 – 11/30/21
This supplement was awarded to promote research continuity and retention of early-career physician-scientists. It is intended to supplement work on the K23AR74520 award.

 
Predicting Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients with Pre-Arthritic Hip Disorders
K23AR074520 Supplement, NIH/NIAMS
Cheng, Abby L (PI), 09/10/20 – 08/31/21
This Administrative Supplement to Promote Research Continuity and Retention of NIH Mentored Career Development (K) Award Recipients and Scholars (NOT-OD-20-054) supplements work on the parent K23 award.
 
Mental Health, Mobile Health, and the EMR
Big Ideas Innovation Grant, Washington University / BJC HealthCare
Cheng, Abby L (PI), 08/01/20 – 07/31/21
The goal of this project is to address psychological impairment in patients seeking conservative care for musculoskeletal pain by improving physicians’ awareness of patients’ anxiety and depression symptoms, offering patients access to an affordable, confidential, smartphone app that teaches research-based techniques to improve mental resiliency and enabling physicians to visualize how often patients use the smartphone app so that physician-patient discussions can be more personalized and effective.
 
Predicting Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients with Pre-Arthritic Hip Disorders
K23AR074520, NIH/NIAMS
Cheng, Abby L (PI), 08/01/19 – 06/30/24
The goal of this project is to improve management of patients with pre-arthritic hip disorders by identifying modifiable predictors of chronic pain and/or progression to surgery and creating a clinical prediction tool that assists clinicians in developing patient-specific management plans that address both anatomic and psychosocial impairments.
 

Background

Dr. Cheng earned her medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine, and followed with a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation from Northwestern University in Chicago, IL. She is fellowship trained in Sports Medicine from Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Cheng has a strong interest in treating young adult hip problems and sports-related injuries, and serves as a team physician for Washington University Athletics.

Board Certifications

  • Board Certified, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  • Board Certified, Sports Medicine

Medical Degree

  • Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

Residency

  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University/Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago/Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL

Fellowship

  • Sports Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

Sports Team and Event Medical Coverage

  • 2017-Present, Washington University Athletics (Women’s Soccer, Men’s/Women’s Basketball)
  • 2017-Present, High School Football (Francis Howell Central High School, Orchard Farm High School)
  • 2019, Lindenwood Athletics Women's Hockey Team Care
  • 2018, St. Charles County Regional S.W.A.T. Team Training
  • 2018, National Veteran’s Wheelchair Games (Orlando, FL)
  • 2017, Michelob Ultra Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Louis Half Marathon & 10K (Team Captain)
  • 2015-2016 Joffrey Ballet Performances
  • 2015-2016 Chicago Lakefront 10 Miler
  • 2014-2016 Chicago Marathon

Professional Memberships

  • Association of Academic Physiatrists
  • American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Request an Appointment