Pseudoaneurysm of the distal thigh after manipulation of a total knee arthroplasty

Abstract

The authors describe a unique complication after manipulation of a stiff total knee arthroplasty in a 47-year-old man. Four days after undergoing manipulation under anesthesia (MUA), the patient presented with increasing pain and swelling of the affected knee and decreased hemoglobin/hematocrit. Computed tomographic angiogram revealed a ruptured pseudoaneurysm of a segmental branch of the deep femoral artery that was treated with embolization and anterior thigh compartment fasciotomy. Although many complications of MUA have been described, we present a novel finding of a ruptured pseudoaneurysm. Ruptured pseudoaneurysm should be included in the differential diagnosis whenever a patient presents with pain and swelling of the thigh after MUA given its potential morbidity.