Acute popliteal artery thrombogenesis after total knee arthroplasty: a case report

Abstract Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a type of artificial joint replacement surgery. An acute lower limb arterial embolism after TKA is extremely rare. Although the incidence of acute lower extremity popliteal artery thrombogenesis is very low, orthopedists need to be alert to the complication because it may lead to amputation and other serious consequences. We report a 65-year-old man who had 38 years of post-traumatic pain in the left knee joint, which has worsened in the past 3 years, thus limiting mobility. He had an acute popliteal artery thrombogenesis after undergoing a TKA. Although orthopedic and vascular surgeons took active measures in a timely fashion, the patient still had lower extremity dysfunction. After a TKA, patients should be actively instructed to perform rehabilitation exercises to prevent thromboses.