Question

What are the signs of having a blocked popliteal artery?

Answer 1

The signs of having a blocked popliteal artery are severe and sudden pain, pulselessness, which is a missing pulse below the knee, Pallor or pale skin, perishing cold, which is when your limbs feel cold to the touch, paraesthesia, which is numbness or tingling and muscle weakness or paralysis.

A blocked popliteal artery is also known as popliteal artery occlusion and is a serious and often limb threatening reduction or blockage of the blood flow behind your knee.

The blocked popliteal artery is often commonly caused by atherosclerosis, thrombosis, or entrapment (PAES).

A blocked popliteal artery causes symptoms like claudication, which is calf pain while walking, rest pain as well as numbness and coldness.

Immediate treatment through a thrombectomy, thrombolysis, or even bypass is also critical within 6 hours of the blocked popliteal artery to prevent the need for amputation.

The most common cause of blocked popliteal artery is atherosclerosis, which leads to plaque buildup which restricts blood flow and can also induce thrombosis.

Other causes of blocked popliteal artery are popliteal artery entrapment syndrome, which is a rare condition, in which surrounding muscles compress the artery, which is common in young people.

Thrombosis/embolism, which is an acute blockage that is often linked to pre-existing aneurysms or injuries, like during knee surgery.

And other risk factors of blocked popliteal artery include diabetes, smoking, mellitus and cardiovascular disease.

Diagnosis of blocked popliteal artery involve a duplex ultrasonography that is used to assess blood velocity and blood flow.

And angiography, which is the standard test to visualize the exact site of occlusion and collateral vessels.

Treatment options for blocked popliteal arteries include thrombectomy/thrombolysis, which is catheter based removal or dissolving of the clot.

Bypass grafting, which is surgical bypass to route the blood around the blockage.

And medications like anticoagulants to prevent further clotting.

Long term pressure on the popliteal artery can cause the artery to narrow and is called artery stenosis.