Popliteal Artery Aneurysm

Popliteal artery aneurysm is bulging and weakness in the wall of the popliteal artery, which supplies blood to the knee joint, thigh and calf. A popliteal aneurysm can burst, which may cause life-threatening, uncontrolled bleeding. The aneurysm may also cause a blood clot, potentially requiring a leg amputation.
The cause of these aneurysms is unknown, but they are more common in older people and men and occur in both legs about 50% of the time.
Symptoms

Pain in lower leg

  • Occurs or worsens when walking

  • In one side

  • Rapidly developing

  • Pain started at toes and spread upwards

  • Relieved by elevation

common

Swelling in lower leg

  • In both lower legs, One side

common

Pulse measured on arms or legs is weak

common

Cold hands or feet

common

Unusual lightness of skin color

common

Numbness or tingling in legs, feet, or buttocks

  • Rapidly developing

  • On one side of the lower extremities

common

Mass at the back of the knee

Thick nails

or Thinning or loss of hair anywhere

  • At lower extremities

Pain in toes

  • Tip of toes

or Open wound in lower leg or ankles

or Open wound in bottom of foot

or Darkening of skin in lower leg or foot

Pain in the leg above the knee

  • Pain started at toes and spread upwards

  • Rapidly developing

  • Occurs or worsens when walking

  • In one thigh

Risk factors

Smoking

High blood pressure disease

  • Resistant

Balloon-like bulge in the aorta

History of coronary artery disease

or History of heart attack

or High levels of fats in blood

Diabetes mellitus

Family history of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Treatment
Surgery is generally required to treat popliteal aneurysms. Your surgeon will typically create a bypass around the area of the artery where the aneurysm is located. It's important for you to carefully control high blood pressure with medication, if necessary.
Recommended specialist

If you have Popliteal Artery Aneurysm, then visit a cardiovascular surgeon as soon as possible.

Contact a

Cardiovascular surgeon

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