Intermittent claudication in young athletes: popliteal artery entrapment syndrome.

Abstract

The intermittent compression of the popliteal artery by the medial of the gastrocnemius muscle is one of the causes of intermittent claudication in young athletes. In this report we present two such cases which emphasize the importance of the clinical aspects of this pathologic entity. Early diagnosis of the entrapped ar teries eventually leads to diagnosis of thrombosis and peripheral ischemia. The popliteal entrapment syn drome should not be confused with chronic posterior compartment syndrome during exercise.