Delayed Presentation of Popliteal Artery Injury Following Tibia and Fibula Fractures: A Case Report

Vascular damage linked to tibia and fibula fractures is rare; however, it poses a significant risk to limb viability. Disruption of the popliteal artery commonly happens at the time of injury; however, delayed arterial rupture may occur due to a migrated bone fragment, fixation hardware, or rupture of a pseudoaneurysm. We present the case of a 36-year-old man who developed acute, profuse hemorrhage six weeks after open reduction and internal fixation of a distal tibia fracture. The bleeding was caused by a laceration at the popliteal artery bifurcation resulting from a comminuted proximal fibula fracture fragment. Despite immediate restoration of vascular flow by direct repair of the popliteal artery, he subsequently developed severe posterior compartment necrosis and foot drop.