Popliteal Artery Injury Associated with Proximal Tibia Fracture: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Acute popliteal artery thrombosis can occur as a result of direct trauma to the knee in cases of knee dislocations, distal femur fractures, and tibial plate fractures. Traction injury can induce indirect trauma, including popliteal artery laceration. Popliteal artery transection injury can have fatal effects for patients, since irreversible ischemia can occur in as little as 6–8 h. Case Report: We report a rare case of 21-year-old male patient with closed displaced medial condyle fracture of tibia with popliteal artery thrombosis which was managed by intra-arterial thrombolysis. Conclusion: Popliteal artery thrombosis though a rare complication should be suspected and ruled out by imaging techniques in cases of blunt trauma to knee leading to tibial plateau fractures along with some neurological deficit and echymosis posterior to knee that suggests high intensity of trauma.

Keywords

• popliteal artery injury
• vascular complications
• knee trauma
• angiography in trauma
• intra-arterial thrombolysis