Abstract

Although vascular problems of the lower extremity are rare in sports, those who care for athletes need to be alert for the possibility of their occurrence. Unrecognized vascular problems can cause serious disability and affect not only the athletes ability to perform on the field but function normally in everyday activities as well. In this article we review the pertinent anatomy of the lower extremity and discuss both traumatic and atraumaatic vascular problems. Vascular injuries occur across the gamut of sports from the obvious vascular injury accompanying a knee dislocation to the runner with popliteral artery entrapment syndrome. We review the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of these various vascular problems. Verf.-Referat