A bleeding pseudoaneurysm of the lateral genicular artery after total knee arthroplasty

Description: 4 weeks after surgery, the patient started to complain of increasing pain and gradual swelling of his operated knee. He presented to the emergency room due to agonizing knee pain 2 weeks later. His left knee was very swollen, especially on the anterolateral side. It was warm and tender and any passive or active motion aggravated the pain.
An angiographic examination was performed because of suspected recurrent bleeding, and a bleeding pseudoaneurysm of the superior lateral genicular artery was demonstrated (Figure 1A). Using a microcatheter, a super-selective catheterization of the lateral genicular artery was performed and the artery was embolized by means of 3-mm coils (Figure 1B). During a second arthroscopy several hours after the embolization, blood clots were drained and the prosthetic joint was lavaged. The patient experienced instant relief and there was a major improvement in the extent of pain, swelling and range of motion.
A bleeding pseudoaneurysm of the lateral genicular artery after total knee arthroplasty--a case report. Pritsch T, Parnes N, Menachem A. Acta Orthop. 2005 Feb;76(1):138-40 full text