Aravind Athiviraham, MD

UChicago Faculty Physicians

Aravind Athiviraham, MD

Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine

A specialist in orthopaedic sports medicine, Aravind Athiviraham, MD, cares for patients with athletic and overuse injuries, including anterior or posterior cruciate ligament tears, meniscus or cartilage injury, patellar or shoulder instability and elbow ulnar collateral ligament tears. He is skilled in minimally invasive and arthroscopic procedures of the knee, shoulder and elbow. In addition, he has received advanced training in complex procedures of the knee and shoulder, including revision knee ligament reconstruction, cartilage restoration, meniscal transplantation, open treatment for recurrent shoulder instability and robotic-assisted knee reconstructive surgery. 

Dr. Athiviraham's current research interests include establishing a cadaveric biomechanical study for superior capsular reconstruction using human dermal allograft, studying biologic enhancement of meniscal injury in a rat model; and the role of orthobiologics to enhance tendon repair and ligament reconstruction, to optimize patient recovery from surgery and allow early return to sports activity. Dr. Athiviraham was also recently involved in a study sponsored by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery for studying the use of virtual arthroscopic simulators in resident training. 

An active contributor to medical literature, Dr. Athiviraham has published numerous scientific articles and book chapters on cartilage restorative procedures of the knee and shoulder, and has presented at major national and international orthopaedic conferences. He has served as faculty at several arthroscopic shoulder and knee courses organized by the Arthroscopy Association of North America. He is also a reviewer for the American Journal of Sports Medicine and a member of the Editorial board for Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery. He was selected to be a member of American Orthopedic Association Emerging Leaders Program, Sports Medicine Evaluation Committee for American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons; and the Education Committee for American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine. In addition, he is part of the medical team for the WNBA Chicago Sky, and serves as a team physician for Concordia University, Hillcrest High School and Bremen High School. 

Dr. Athiviraham is dedicated to the care of his patients and stays up-to-date on the latest techniques in sports medicine. He enjoys getting to know his patients and working with them to choose the best treatment option, by fostering a combined patient-physician decision making approach.

Areas of Expertise

  • Shoulder Instability or Dislocation
  • Arthroscopic Labral Repair
  • Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery
  • Cartilage & Ligament Repair
  • Cartilage Restorative Procedures
  • Glenoid Bone Loss Restoration Procedures
  • Knee Injuries
  • Labral Tears
  • Meniscus Repair and Transplantation
  • Partial Knee Replacement
  • Shoulder Injuries
  • Sports Injuries
  • Total Knee Arthroplasty
  • Traumatic Knee Dislocations
  • Biceps Tendon Injury
  • Rotator Cuff Treatment
  • Arthroscopic Surgery
  • Robotic Arm Assisted Partial and Total Knee Replacement
  • Patellar Instability

Board Certifications

  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Sports Medicine

Memberships & Medical Societies

  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • Arthroscopy Association of North America
  • American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

Practicing Since

  • 2012

Languages Spoken

  • English
  • French
  • Spanish

Medical Education

  • McGill University Faculty of Medicine

Residency

  • Queen's University School of Medicine

Fellowship

  • Cleveland Clinic; Lenox Hill Hospital

News & Research

View Published Papers
  • Aetna HMO (specialists only)
  • Aetna POS
  • Aetna PPO
  • BCBS Blue Precision HMO (specialists only)
  • BCBS HMO (HMOI) (specialists only)
  • BCBS PPO
  • Cigna HMO
  • Cigna POS
  • Cigna PPO
  • CountyCare *see insurance page
  • Aetna Better Health *see insurance page
  • Medicare
  • Multiplan PPO
  • PHCS PPO
  • United Choice Plus POS/PPO
  • United Options (PPO)
  • United Select (HMO & EPO) (specialists only)
  • United W500 Emergent Wrap
  • Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO
  • BCBS Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO
  • Humana Medicare Advantage Choice PPO
  • Humana Medicare Advantage Gold Choice PFFS
  • Humana Medicare Advantage Gold Plus HMO
  • United Choice HMO (specialists only)
  • University of Chicago Health Plan (UCHP)

Our list of accepted insurance providers is subject to change at any time. You should contact your insurance company to confirm UChicago Medicine participates in their network before scheduling your appointment. If your insurance company is not listed here, or if you have any other questions, please contact Managed.Care@uchospitals.edu.

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UChicago Medicine At The Forefront Live: Sports Medicine

We spoke with UChicago Medicine sports health expert and Chicago Sky physician Dr. Aravind Athiviraham about protecting knees, staying healthy playing fall sports, and much more.

 Dr. Aravind Athiviraham and Tim Brown discuss sports medicine.
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