Case report shows persistent ankle pain in a young athlete may indicate popliteal artery entrapment, suggesting a need for accurate diagnosis.
Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) can mimic ankle pathology in young athletes and may lead to irreversible ischemia if a diagnosis is delayed.A 13-year-old Taekwondo athlete had exertional ankle pain unresponsive to synovectomy.Computed tomography angiography revealed a 5-cm popliteal artery occlusion.The patient underwent decompression surgery, but the arterial occlusion persisted, and bypass surgery was planned.This case highlights the importance of considering PAES as part of a differential diagnosis in young athletes presenting with persistent ankle pain, particularly when symptoms persist despite appropriate orthopedic treatment.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Park et al. (2026) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: