Functional Popliteal Entrapment Syndrome in the Sportsperson

• Published in: European journal of vascular and endovascular surgery Vol. 43; no. 1; pp. 81 - 87
• Main Authors: Lane, R, Nguyen, T, Cuzzilla, M, Oomens, D, Mohabbat, W, Hazelton, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2012
• Subjects: Adult; Ankle Brachial Index; Arterial Occlusive Diseases - diagnosis; Arterial Occlusive Diseases - etiology; Arterial Occlusive Diseases - physiopathology; Arterial Occlusive Diseases - surgery; Athletic Injuries - diagnosis; Athletic Injuries - etiology; Athletic Injuries - physiopathology; Athletic Injuries - surgery; Chi-Square Distribution; Constriction, Pathologic; Entrapment; Fasciotomy; Female; Humans; Hypertrophy; Magnetic Resonance Angiography; Male; Muscle, Skeletal - pathology; Muscle, Skeletal - surgery; New South Wales; Popliteal; Popliteal Artery - diagnostic imaging; Popliteal Artery - physiopathology; Predictive Value of Tests; Sportsperson; Surgery; Syndrome; Time Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; Vascular; Young Adult; Entrapment; Popliteal; Vascular; Sportsperson
• ISSN: 1078-5884; 1532-2165
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2011.10.013

Abstract Objective To define the clinical syndrome of functional popliteal entrapment comparing pre and post surgical clinical outcomes with pre and post-operative provocative ultrasonic investigations. Further, to suggest a management pathway to differentiate chronic exertional compartment syndromes and concomitant venous popliteal compression. Methods In 32 claudicant sportspersons, 55 limbs were characterised pre-surgery clinically, with provocative testing including hopping, and following a series of non-invasive tests. The clinical findings, ankle brachial indices (ABI) and duplex outcomes were compared pre-operatively, at 3 months post-operatively ( n  = 52) and in the long term i.e. 16 months ( n  = 17). Results At 3 months, all 55 limbs had clinical follow up. 52 of the 55 limbs had follow up with ultrasound with provocative manoeuvres. The ABIs normalised in 46 (88%). There were 40 of 52 (76%) that became asymptomatic post surgery with a normal scan. There were 4 of 52 (8%) who were clinically asymptomatic but with residual obstruction on duplex and who were able to resume their usual lifestyle. There were 4 (8%) that had abnormal findings both on post-operative scan and clinically. Re-operation on 2 limbs corrected the duplex findings and the symptoms. There were 4 (8%) limbs that had normal duplexes but continued with symptoms albeit varied from the presenting symptoms. In the longer term, a further 2 became symptomatic at 2.8 years requiring a further successful intervention. (Concomitant popliteal venous obstruction was present in 5 limbs (10%) on standing.) Conclusions In the claudicating sportsperson, where there are no well characterised specific anatomical abnormalities, the syndrome can be characterised by provocative clinical (particularly hopping) and non-invasive tests. A positive clinical outcome with surgery can be predicted by abnormal pre-surgical ultrasonic investigations and confirmed later by a similar normal post surgical study. Concomitant venous compression may occur while standing with both syndromes related to muscle hypertrophy.