Case: Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is rarely on the differential for exertional lower extremity pain in the young athlete. This article illustrates a case of a 20-year-old female National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division-I college basketball player who was diagnosed with PAES after conservative treatment of medial tibial stress syndrome and comprehensive evaluation for chronic exertional compartment syndrome. She received bilateral popliteal artery releases through a posterior approach and made an asymptomatic return to Division-I collegiate basketball.
Conclusion: PAES is a rare potentially limb-threatening disease that must be included on the differential of young athletes who present with exertional lower extremity pain.