Popliteal Artery Occlusion after Total Knee Replacement Arthroplasty: A Case Report

The injury of popliteal artery in association with a total knee arthroplasty is rare with the incidence reported 0.03% to 0.05%, but the result of popliteal artery occlusion is extremely poor. Preexisting peripheral arterial disease, flexion deformity, tourniquet use, inadequate procedure during TKA, close proximity of popliteal artery to posterior cortex of tibia plateau, all of these are likely to increase the risk of the injury of popliteal artery during a knee replacement operation. We have experienced a patient who developed an arterial complication in association with a total knee arthroplasty and report the treatment as well as the discussion about the mechanisms of injury of popliteal artery.