Medial Surgical Approaches

Surgical approaches to the medial side of the knee should be tailored to specific pathoanatomy and individual patient-specific factors. This chapter provides the reader with a staged description of the most common surgical approaches to the medial knee: the medial parapatellar approach, the subvastus anteromedial approach, the Caves medial approach, the medial approach, the posteromedial approach, and a historical approach, the transverse approach to the medial meniscus. Along with the approaches, this chapter will also discuss the common indications for each approach, potential variants, a brief overview of relevant surgical anatomy, and potential pitfalls that should be avoided during the operation. While there is wide variability among surgeons, even within standard approaches, this chapter should be used as a guide for each approach with variations made when indicated by anatomic variations or patient pathology.