Melissa Albersheim, M.D.Sports Medicine Surgery

Dr. Melissa Albersheim is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon at UCI Health with expertise in the comprehensive care of sports-related injuries of the hip, knee, elbow, and shoulder. She specializes in hip arthroscopy, joint preservation, cartilage restoration, and patellofemoral disorders, with a particular clinical interest in the unique needs of the female athlete. Dr. Albersheim emphasizes a holistic approach to care, integrating advanced surgical techniques with individualized rehabilitation, injury prevention strategies, and biologic therapies to help patients return safely to their highest level of activity.

Her surgical expertise includes advanced minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures of the hip, knee, and shoulder, as well as reconstructive joint surgery. She has specialized training in cartilage restoration and arthroscopic hip surgery, and routinely treats conditions such as ACL and meniscus injuries, rotator cuff and labral tears, shoulder instability, and tendon injuries of the elbow. She also incorporates biologic treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into her practice when appropriate, reflecting her commitment to innovative, evidence-based care.

Dr. Albersheim earned her medical degree at the University of Minnesota Medical School, where she received multiple research grants from the University of Minnesota Foundation. She completed her orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Minnesota before pursuing advanced fellowship training in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine at Stanford University. Her research interests center on hip biomechanics and microinstability, cartilage restoration, knee joint preservation, and the patellofemoral joint, with multiple peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and podium presentations at national and international meetings. Her academic contributions include studies on meniscal healing, pediatric meniscus biology, femoral and tibial osteotomies, and cost-effectiveness in orthopaedic trauma.

Growing up in Minnesota, Dr. Albersheim was a competitive hockey and soccer player, experiences that shaped her passion for sports medicine and her dedication to supporting athletes—particularly women—through all stages of their careers. Outside of her clinical and research endeavors, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, staying active outdoors, and exploring Southern California’s vibrant community with her family.