title: Traumatic popliteal artery thrombosis and compartment syndrome of the leg following blunt trauma to the knee: a discussion of treatment and complications.
abstract: Blunt trauma to the knee has been associated with both musculoskeletal and neurovascular injury to the leg. Popliteal artery thromboses secondary to such trauma can be complicated by a compartment syndrome. The loss of distal pulses in the leg following blunt knee trauma should always be attributed to a suspected vascular lesion and not to the presence of the compartment hypertension. We present a case in which the diagnosis of a popliteal artery thrombosis was delayed because the loss of distal pulses was initially attributed to the compartment syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Physical Rehabilitation, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, North Worcester, USA.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Seybold
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Busconi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D011150:Popliteal Artery; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*