Aetiology
The femoral artery is a large vessel in the thigh that supplies blood to the lower extremities. Injury to the femoral artery is usually caused by trauma such as a blunt force, a sharp object, or a gunshot wound, or it can be caused by a medical procedure such as a biopsy. Other causes of femoral artery injury include arterial occlusion or an aneurysm.
Diagnosis
Injury to the femoral artery is diagnosed based on a physical exam and imaging tests such as an ultrasound, X-ray, or CT scan. Your doctor may also order blood tests and other tests to look for signs of infection or internal bleeding.
Differential diagnosis
Injury to the femoral artery can be mistaken for other conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot in the leg, or a venous stasis ulcer, an open sore on the leg. Your doctor will perform a physical exam to rule out other conditions and order tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment for injury of the femoral artery is determined based on the severity of the injury. For minor injuries, your doctor may recommend rest, elevation, and compression to reduce swelling and pain. For more serious injuries, your doctor may recommend a procedure to repair the artery or a bypass surgery to redirect the blood flow.
Prognosis
The prognosis for injury to the femoral artery depends on the severity of the injury and the type of treatment. With prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment, most people make a full recovery. However, if the injury is severe and not treated promptly, it can lead to complications such as infection, tissue death, and impaired blood flow to the legs.