Coping Methods & Home Remedies For Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome

The therapeutic approach (percutaneous transluminal thrombembolectomy (PTEE), local thrombolysis (LTL), and percutaneous transluminal dilatation (PTA)) can provide an alternative to vascular surgery.¹

Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome significantly interferes with lifestyle but therapeutic methods were able to resume normal routines.²

Surgical management is faster, and the patient can return home after two days of surgery. They don’t require follow-ups unless the symptoms return.³

A case study was conducted on a 25-year-old active individual who experienced pain in the lower leg over 5 months. His symptoms worsened with activities and exercise and the conditions started to progress. The progression involved cold foot, frequent numbness, and cramping on the feet.

The condition severely impacted the normal lifestyle leading to poor quality of life with intermittent claudication. The patient experienced pathological limbs and the time of onset of pain varied every time. In most instances, the pain subsided with sufficient rest. ^1.

The professional team who had expertise in vascular treatment provided the best diagnosis and management of the functional popliteal artery entrapment syndrome. Non-invasive ultrasonography was able to secure the diagnosis, however, to have a detailed picture of the veins, additional imaging was required. Several specialists strongly recommend magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiogram since this could be a better version when compared to the previously suggested analysis. Also, these procedures may avoid radiation exposure to young adults and active athletes.

Based on the diagnostic report, the patient was advised for open surgery to release compression of the popliteal artery and to ease the pain. The patient was able to recover in less than 2 days after surgery and started to walk on the same day after surgery. Furthermore, he no longer required physical therapy after the procedure.²

Life can be intimidating in patients suffering from popliteal artery entrapment syndrome. They often wonder if any sort of lifestyle modifications or physical activities can help ease symptoms. Medical studies demonstrate that adults and sports athletes who are aged 30 and under and particularly those who overuse their muscles in activities such as running, playing soccer, football, or rugby are at increased risk of developing this condition.

Doctors suggest for hospitals to stay one to two days after surgery. However, days post-surgery is most crucial for patients to completely recover from PAES. As an outpatient, home remedies such as physical therapy that includes stretching and flexibility exercises can help facilitate recovery much faster. The patients can visibly experience that they are getting better and soon go back to their sports activities and resume daily routines. Nearly 70-100% of patients showed no symptoms after surgery.

However, some symptoms can be treated through non-operative means. When you show mild symptoms with rigorous activity, your healthcare provider may suggest activity modification and you will be under observation. Therapeutic approaches often considered as a potential alternative to surgery. In most cases, the symptoms resolve with rest and lifestyle changes.³

Identification of appendage pain in the extremities of an athlete can be a tricky job due to the range of possible etiologies and uncertainty of exhibiting symptoms. In most scenarios, popliteal artery entrapment syndrome is believed to be responsible for potential vascular disability and impairment.

Although the condition is rare, still a missed diagnosis will result in potential complications and necessitate surgical procedures.

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