Conditions · Knee

Popliteal Artery Injury !

Popliteal artery injury is damage to the main artery behind the knee, usually from a knee dislocation or major trauma; it threatens the leg.

Updated 2026-10-23

Structures involved

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• Popliteal artery

In the clinical exam

• Acute limb ischemia and chronic arterial insufficiency

Why it happens

• Hypoxia, ischemia and reperfusion injury
• Blood vessels: artery, vein and capillary layers

What it is

Injury to the artery behind the knee, usually from high-energy trauma or knee dislocation. Limb-threatening emergency.

Symptoms and signs

• Signs of ischemia
• Pain out of proportion
• Expanding hematoma

Diagnosis

Clinical

Vascular exam after knee dislocation

Tests

Ankle-brachial index (ABI below 0.9 needs CT angiography)

Imaging

CT angiography

Treatment

Surgical

Urgent revascularization and fasciotomy if indicated.

Related conditions

• Acute compartment syndrome
• Acute limb ischaemia
• Hypovolaemic shock

Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

Sources: Knee Dislocation (StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf), 2024).

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