Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea | [b] Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University – Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Korea
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Gi-Wook Kim, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, 20, Geonjiro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk 54097, Korea. Tel.: +82 63 259 3144; Fax: +82 10 254 4145; E-mail: k26@jbnu.ac.kr.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury may result in rhabdomyolysis and compartment syndrome when blood supply returns after thrombectomy for patients with acute limb ischemia. OBJECTIVE: We highlight the value of early diagnosis and treatment in post-thrombectomy patients with IR injuries in their lower legs. CASE DESCRIPTION: Two patients received thrombectomy due to left superficial femoral artery occlusion. Both patients complained of left calf pain during ambulation at the 1- and 3-day follow up post-thrombectomy, as well as a heating sensation, swelling, weakness, and sensory changes in the affected leg. For early diagnosis musculoskeletal ultrasounds were performed and in both cases revealed swelling and change of echogenicity in the left calf. To further diagnosis, magnetic resonance imaging of the left leg revealed limb IR-induced muscular injury and rhabdomyolysis, respectively. In both cases, an electrodiagnostic study revealed peripheral nerve injury in the left leg. Medications were provided for neuropathic pain control and early rehabilitation was performed to improve function. In both cases, patients reported during their follow-up that their pain and muscle weakness had improved. CONCLUSION: When post-thrombectomy calf pain occurs early evaluation and treatment should be performed to identify any potential IR injury.
