Popliteal entrapment syndrome is commonly found in which population, and is bilateral in approximately what fraction?

• A. Young males; one third
• B. Older females; half
• C. Children; one quarter
• D. Middle-aged adults; two thirds

Answer: (A)

Popliteal entrapment syndrome is classically seen in young, physically active men, often athletes or military recruits, who develop exercise-induced calf claudication from dynamic compression of the popliteal artery behind the knee. The underlying anatomic variation that causes this entrapment is frequently present in both legs, so about one third of affected patients have symptoms in both limbs. The other groups listed are less typical for PES, making the young male, with bilateral involvement roughly one third, the best fit.