Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) can mimic ankle pathology in young athletes and may lead to irreversible ischemia if a diagnosis is delayed.A 13-year-old Taekwondo athlete had exertional ankle pain unresponsive to synovectomy.Computed tomography angiography revealed a 5-cm popliteal artery occlusion.The patient underwent decompression surgery, but the arterial occlusion persisted, and bypass surgery was planned.This case highlights the importance of considering PAES as part of a differential diagnosis in young athletes presenting with persistent ankle pain, particularly when symptoms persist despite appropriate orthopedic treatment.
Park et al. (Wed,) studied this question.