Popliteal Entrapment Syndrome

Popliteal entrapment syndrome should be considered in an otherwise young patient with exertional calf pain. The etiology is based on an abnormal anatomic relationship in the proximal calf/posterior knee with a band (maybe muscular) intermittently compressing the popliteal artery. Magnetic resonance imaging with angiography can demonstrate dynamic compression during provocative maneuvers. Delay in diagnosis may lead to chronic damage to the popliteal artery, with potential for acute limb ischemia, aneurysm formation, and progressive damage of the vessel wall requiring vascular reconstruction.