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SoP Library › Popliteal entrapment syndrome

Statement of Principles

Popliteal entrapment syndrome — DVA SoP factors

Every factor in the Repatriation Medical Authority Statements of Principles for Popliteal entrapment syndrome. DVA can only accept a claim for Popliteal entrapment syndrome if at least one of these factors is met and connected to your service. Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) applies to operational service; Balance of Probabilities (BoP) applies to peacetime service.

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Source: Repatriation Medical Authority Statements of Principles as held by the Veterans Health Centre. SoPs are amended and replaced regularly; always confirm the current instrument at rma.gov.au before relying on it.

Popliteal entrapment syndrome

RH No. 54 of 2017 · BoP No. 55 of 201718 factors

Meaning of popliteal entrapment syndrome: For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, popliteal entrapment syndrome means an acquired or congenital, partial or complete occlusion of the popliteal artery in the popliteal fossa, occurring during plantar flexion, in the presence of: (a) symptoms of intermittent lower limb claudication, exercise- induced leg pain, paraesthesia, or lower limb ischaemia, in the absence of other identifiable vascular risk factors that can account for those symptoms; and (b) appropriate clinical imaging studies that confirm partial or complete occlusion.

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 54 of 2017

At least one of the following factors must as a minimum exist before it can be said that a reasonable hypothesis has been raised connecting popliteal entrapment syndrome or death from popliteal entrapment syndrome with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

  1. (1)
    running or jogging an average of at least 20 kilometres per week for the six months before the clinical onset of popliteal entrapment syndrome;
  2. (2)
    undertaking vigorous physical activity involving repeated active plantar flexion of the foot of the affected leg, or repetitive sudden and forceful contraction of the calf of the affected leg, at a minimum intensity of six METs, for an average of at least 20 hours per week for a continuous period of at least the six months before the clinical onset of popliteal entrapment syndrome;

    Note: Vigorous physical activity may include driving heavy vehicles, martial arts, physical training, and sports such as rugby, soccer, basketball, rowing or cycling. Patients typically have hypertrophy of the plantar flexor muscles, including the gastrocnemius, soleus and plantaris muscles.

    Note: MET is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  3. (3)
    having trauma to the affected limb, involving the popliteal fossa and displacing the popliteal artery, within the five years before the clinical onset of popliteal entrapment syndrome;
  4. (4)
    having a disease involving the popliteal fossa and displacing the popliteal artery, at the time of the clinical onset of popliteal entrapment syndrome;

    Note: disease involving the popliteal fossa is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  5. (5)
    running or jogging an average of at least ten kilometres per week for the three months before the clinical worsening of popliteal entrapment syndrome;
  6. (6)
    undertaking vigorous physical activity involving repeated active plantar flexion of the foot of the affected leg, or repetitive sudden and forceful contraction of the calf of the affected leg, at a minimum intensity of six METs, for an average of at least 20 hours per week for a continuous period of at least the three months before the clinical worsening of popliteal entrapment syndrome;

    Note: Vigorous physical activity may include driving heavy vehicles, martial arts, physical training, and sports such as rugby, soccer, basketball, rowing or cycling. Patients typically have hypertrophy of the plantar flexor muscles, including the gastrocnemius, soleus and plantaris muscles.

    Note: MET is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  7. (7)
    having trauma to the affected limb, involving the popliteal fossa and displacing the popliteal artery, within the five years before the clinical worsening of popliteal entrapment syndrome;
  8. (8)
    having a disease involving the popliteal fossa and displacing the popliteal artery, at the time of the clinical worsening of popliteal entrapment syndrome;

    Note: disease involving the popliteal fossa is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  9. (9)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for popliteal entrapment syndrome;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsections 8(5) to 8(9) apply only to material contribution to, or aggravation of, the condition where it was suffered or contracted before or during (but did not arise out of) the person’s relevant service.

Balance of Probabilities (BoP) — Statement of Principles No. 55 of 2017

9 factors

At least one of the following factors must exist before it can be said that, on the balance of probabilities, popliteal entrapment syndrome or death from popliteal entrapment syndrome is connected with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

  1. (1)
    running or jogging an average of at least 30 kilometres per week for the 12 months before the clinical onset of popliteal entrapment syndrome;
  2. (2)
    undertaking vigorous physical activity involving repeated active plantar flexion of the foot of the affected leg, or repetitive sudden and forceful contraction of the calf of the affected leg, at a minimum intensity of six METs, for an average of at least 20 hours per week for a continuous period of at least the 12 months before the clinical onset of popliteal entrapment syndrome;

    Note: Vigorous physical activity may include driving heavy vehicles, martial arts, physical training, and sports such as rugby, soccer, basketball, rowing or cycling. Patients typically have hypertrophy of the plantar flexor muscles, including the gastrocnemius, soleus and plantaris muscles.

    Note: MET is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  3. (3)
    having trauma to the affected limb, involving the popliteal fossa and displacing the popliteal artery, within the five years before the clinical onset of popliteal entrapment syndrome;
  4. (4)
    having a disease involving the popliteal fossa and displacing the popliteal artery, at the time of the clinical onset of popliteal entrapment syndrome;

    Note: disease involving the popliteal fossa is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  5. (5)
    running or jogging an average of at least 15 kilometres per week for the six months before the clinical worsening of popliteal entrapment syndrome;
  6. (6)
    undertaking vigorous physical activity involving repeated active plantar flexion of the foot of the affected leg, or repetitive sudden and forceful contraction of the calf of the affected leg, at a minimum intensity of six METs, for an average of at least 20 hours per week for a continuous period of at least the six months before the clinical worsening of popliteal entrapment syndrome;

    Note: Vigorous physical activity may include driving heavy vehicles, martial arts, physical training, and sports such as rugby, soccer, basketball, rowing or cycling. Patients typically have hypertrophy of the plantar flexor muscles, including the gastrocnemius, soleus and plantaris muscles.

    Note: MET is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  7. (7)
    having trauma to the affected limb, involving the popliteal fossa and displacing the popliteal artery, within the five years before the clinical worsening of popliteal entrapment syndrome;
  8. (8)
    having a disease involving the popliteal fossa and displacing the popliteal artery, at the time of the clinical worsening of popliteal entrapment syndrome;

    Note: disease involving the popliteal fossa is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  9. (9)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for popliteal entrapment syndrome;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsections 8(5) to 8(9) apply only to material contribution to, or aggravation of, the condition where it was suffered or contracted before or during (but did not arise out of) the person’s relevant service.

A VHC Diagnostic Assessment addresses each of these factors one by one against your service record and clinical history. See how a VHC DVA claim works, see all fees ($600 + GST per stage) or book an appointment.

Accepted — what is it worth?

A Statement of Principles decides one thing only: whether DVA accepts liability for popliteal entrapment syndrome. It says nothing about how much you are paid. Compensation is worked out separately, from impairment points under the GARP — so a condition can be accepted and still rate few points, or rate more than you expect once it is combined with everything else on your file.

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Part of DVA Claims — Knees & legs — every Statement of Principles covering the knees and legs.

Others in this area:

Acute articular cartilage tearAcute meniscal tear of the kneeChondromalacia patellaChronic exertional compartment syndrome of the lower legIliotibial band syndromeInternal derangement of the kneeKnee bursitisMedial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints)See all →
Dr Thomas Perkins, Veterans Health Centre

Reviewed by Dr Thomas Perkins

Founding doctor, Veterans Health Centre · former RAAF aviation medical officer · 13 years working exclusively with ADF members and veterans. Full profile →