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Seth A Cheatham, MD

Specialties

Locations

Sports Medicine
1300 West Broad Street, Suite 113
Richmond, VA 23284

Areas of interest

Complex Knee Ligament Reconstruction
Revision ACL Reconstruction
Anatomic ACL Reconstruction
Meniscus Repair
Meniscus Transplant
Cartilage Restoration (MACI
Osteochondral Allografts
Microfracture)
Patella Stabilization and Realignment Procedures
Primary Knee Replacement Surgery
Arthroscopic Shoulder Stabilization
Arthroscopic Surgery
Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repairs
Superior Capsular Reconstruction
Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction
General Sports Medicine Injuries (Tendon Ruptures
Muscle Sprains
Fractures)

Bio

‘The opportunity to help someone is extremely rewarding’

As a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Seth Cheatham treats athletes of all ages and skills – from youth stars to student-athletes at colleges and schools in central Virginia to the region’s many “weekend warriors” and amateurs. In addition to broken bones, tendon ruptures or fractures, Dr. Cheatham sees patients with knee and shoulder injuries such as ACL and meniscus tears, dislocations, cartilage injuries, rotator cuff or labral tears, and shoulder instability.

“From the moment a patient walks in the door, they will receive outstanding service and the assurance that I will take the time to listen and do my very best to come up with a treatment plan together,” says Dr. Cheatham, a Richmond Magazine “Top Doc” who accompanied the VCU men’s basketball team the Final Four in 2011 as its team physician. “The opportunity to help someone stay active and return to what they love to do is extremely rewarding.”

For more complex cases, VCU Health’s orthopaedic team offers multidisciplinary care – unique to sports medicine offerings elsewhere – that tap into the expertise of providers from several specialties, including physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), family medicine and internal medicine, and the services of athletic trainers and sports physical therapists. Arthroscopic techniques – which use minimally invasive cameras to diagnose and treat orthopaedic conditions – are also constantly being refined and improved, he says.

But it’s not just medical treatment or a surgery that leads to positive outcomes for the patient, he adds. “Never underestimate the power of having a positive attitude,” says Dr. Cheatham. “Those who believe they will get better, and put forth the effort, often will.”

Research Interests

Dr. Cheatham has published extensive research on ACL reconstructions and is leading development of a multiligamentous knee injury registry at VCU Medical Center.

Professional affiliations

  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • Arthroscopy Association of North America
  • American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
  • Virginia Orthopaedic Society, Past President
  • Richmond Orthopaedic Club, President
  • Medical Society of Virginia

Professional Activity/Team Coverage

  • Medical Director, VCU Sports Medicine
  • Head Team Physician and Chief Medical Officer, VCU Athletics
  • Head Team Physician, Virginia State University Athletics

For a list of publications, please visit PubMed.

Honors and awards

  • Richmond Magazine “Top Doc” in Sports Medicine: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013
  • Richmond Magazine “Top Doc” in Pediatric Sports Medicine: 2016
  • Our Health Magazine Best Bedside Manner in Sports Medicine: 2019
  • VCU Trauma Shining Knight: 2019, 2018

Education

Medical School University of Nebraska College of Medicine
Internship VCU Medical Center
Residency Orthopaedic Surgery, VCU Medical Center
Fellowship Sports Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine

Related videos

Aging Athletes: Protecting your joints

Ratings & reviews

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 277 ratings and 27 comments.

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October 2025
Dr. Cheatham was great. He listened, examined me, explained what was going on, and developed a plan of care. Plus, he had a good bedside manner. I'd highly recommended.
September 2025
He took the time to listen and understand my pain. We have a great treatment plan.
August 2025
Excellent Doctor. [...]
July 2025
Great Team
May 2025
Great doctors
February 2025
I LOVE DR. CHEATHAM AND WILL UNTIL I CANNOT OTHERWISE TRAVEL TO SEE HIM. HE IS THE BEST KNEE DOCTOR I HAVE EVER HAD. HE IS JUST THE RIGHT MIX OF BUSINESS AND COMPASSION. I DO RECOMMEND HIM TO ALL I KNOW. SOMETIMES, I JUST WANT TO KEEP HIM TO MYSELF SO I CAN EASILY GET SUCH GREAT AND QUICK SERVICE BUT .... EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF HAVING HIM AS THEIR DOCTOR.
December 2024
Dr. Chestham, always pleasant to see. Greet you with a smile and hand shake. No rushing makes me feel as if I am his only patient and here for me only. Love the fact that he follow my up visit with my Dr. [...], my PCP each time. Great Doctor. I would recommend him.
November 2024
I love Dr. Cheatham! He spends as much time as you need with you during the visit. He is the best at what he does for my treatment (steroid shots for both knees ). When I need help outside of an appointment or have a question, his staff calls back within the same day. [...]
October 2024
Dr. Cheatham is a great doctor who takes the time to listen to his patients concerns while providing the best solutions to their problems without sugarcoating the truth of the matter.
September 2024
Overall visit very good
August 2024
Dr. Cheatham is an excellent provider. He listens, he explains, he shows, he listens some more. He really does care and I feel that at each visit. I feel like he cares about his patients.
July 2024
Dr. Cheatham is really wonderful and willing to discuss whatever concerns that I have.
July 2024
Dr. Cheatham was wonderful
March 2024
Best Dr around!!!!
March 2024
Great
February 2024
My confidence in this provider is based on a 15-20 minute conversation so I cannot really know at this point. I just know that he gave me a sense of peace with his recommendations and knowledge.
December 2023
I never felt like my appointment was being rushed. He took his time making sure every question was answered thoroughly.
December 2023
If you had an excellent column, I would have checked all for Doctor Cheatham!
December 2023
Dr Seth Cheatham Is superb. Compassionate and expert.
December 2023
Best provider I have ever had. Wish I started with him.
September 2023
Excellent!
August 2023
Dr. Cheatham is very kind and takes the time to listen to my concerns even if they are not life threatening. I never feel rushed and he answers my questions. He helps me achieve my mobility goals and I always enjoy him as my provider.
August 2023
All in all was provided clear for me to understand every thing.
June 2023
Dr. Cheatham offered me 2 options for next steps. He explained both carefully and answered my follow up questions. He provided the +/- of each but ultimately let me decide. It was fantastic.
June 2023
[...] Seth Cheatham is AWESOME [...]
June 2023
This was an exceptional visit. I felt heard and respected. I value the skill and knowledge of the providers in this practice.
May 2023
Up to this point I am very confident & pleased with the doctor.