What are the possible causes of popliteal artery entrapment syndrome?

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is caused by an abnormal calf muscle, usually the gastrocnemius muscle. The condition may occur from birth (congenital) or develop later in life (acquired).

What is the preferred maneuver to diagnose popliteal entrapment syndrome?

Ultrasound. Ultrasound is used as an initial screening examination to assess for entrapment. The popliteal artery is interrogated from above the knee joint to bifurcation, using a linear 12 MHz or 9 MHz vascular transducer.

Is popliteal entrapment syndrome hereditary?

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is a rare condition; it has been reported to be familial in only three case reports including one involving monozygous twins.

What does PAES feel like?

Patients with PAES have history of aching pain, numbness, and tiredness or cramping in the calf when they exercise. The symptoms typically go away in three to five minutes of resting. In many cases, the pain always occurs at the same point during exercise and affects the same leg.

How do you test for popliteal entrapment?

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) shows the calf muscle that is trapping the artery. It can also reveal how much of the popliteal artery is narrowed. You may be asked to flex your foot or press it against a board during this test. Doing so helps your doctor determine how blood is flowing to your lower leg.

What are the symptoms and causes of a popliteal aneurysm?

A popliteal aneurysm is bulging and weakness in the wall of the popliteal artery, which supplies blood to the knee joint, thigh and calf….Symptoms of Popliteal Aneurysms

• Pain behind the knee.
• An edema (collection of watery fluid) in the lower leg.
• Foot pain.
• Ulcers on the skin of the feet that don’t heal.

What is the disease pop?

Popliteal artery occlusive disease is a common occurrence, especially in elderly patients, smokers, and those with diabetes mellitus and other cardiovascular diseases.

Can you feel a popliteal aneurysm?

Many popliteal aneurysms have no symptoms. Common symptoms include: Pain behind the knee. An edema (collection of watery fluid) in the lower leg.

How do you know if you have popliteal aneurysm?

Symptoms of Popliteal Aneurysms Pain behind the knee. An edema (collection of watery fluid) in the lower leg. Foot pain. Ulcers on the skin of the feet that don’t heal.

What does an aneurysm in your leg feel like?

Leg or arm pain or cramping with exercise, called claudication. Leg or arm pain with rest. Painful sores or ulcerations involving the toes or fingers. Radiating pain or numbness in your leg or arm, which is caused by nerve compression.

What does Paes feel like?

What does it mean to have popliteal artery entrapment syndrome?

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome refers to symptomatic compression or occlusion of the popliteal artery due to a developmentally abnormal positioning of the popliteal artery in relation to its surrounding structures such as with the medial head of gastrocnemius or less commonly with popliteus or fibrous bands.

When does the popliteal fossa occlude blood flow?

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) occurs when muscles that surround the popliteal artery in the area of the popliteal fossa, occlude the artery (and sometimes the vein as well), and decrease blood flow to the lower leg. Two forms of PAES exist: anatomical and functional.

Where is the popliteal fossa on the knee?

Capsule of the knee joint 3. Oblique popliteal ligament 4. Popliteus muscle covering the upper posterior surface of the tibia. LM 7. 1. The common peroneal nerve passes out of the fossa along the medial border of the biceps tendon 2.

What causes an enlarged popliteal artery behind the knee?

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is an uncommon condition in which an abnormally positioned or enlarged calf muscle presses on the main artery behind the knee (popliteal artery). The artery becomes trapped, making it harder for blood to flow to the lower leg and foot.