Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation of Bilateral Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome in a Young Boxer: A Case Report

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome, a rare vascular disease observed in young athletes, is characterized by intermittent claudication and is often overlooked by orthopedists. Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome should be treated promptly when diagnosed, as the vascular lesion can progress.We present a case of bilateral popliteal artery entrapment syndrome in a young professional boxer with no significant family or past medical history. He had developed intermittent claudication during a boxing match with pain in both calves, making it impossible for him to continue for more than three rounds. He was diagnosed with popliteal artery entrapment syndrome, and surgery treatment with reconstruction of the medial gastrocnemius muscle to maintain muscle strength was performed in collaboration with a cardiovascular surgeon. Then, he underwent rehabilitation according to postoperative treatment for gastrocnemius muscle rupture, and finally, he could return to professional boxing matches with victory. PAES is often initially overlooked by orthopedic surgeons. This is the first report of functional reconstruction surgery and effective rehabilitation performed for PAES. This case focuses on the early diagnosis of and proper orthopedic approach to popliteal artery entrapment syndrome, which is considered important to enable patients to return to high-level sports.