We report the case of an Olympic taekwondo athlete with an atypical bilateral intermittent claudication that represented a handicap in her performance during competition fight. Diagnosis of chronic compartment syndrome was established by confirmation of compartment hypertension and the patient was submitted to fasciectomy. Recurrence of symptoms like numbness or tingling after 6 months raised the suspicion of deep compartmental hypertension that, once confirmed, was treated by a repeat deep fasciectomy. New symptoms appeared 4 months after surgery but no hypertension in the compartment was detected. Functional popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (FPAES) was suspected, an unusual form of this syndrome, in which a hypertrophic plantaris tendon as the cause of the entrapment was observed. Resection of the band was performed in a third operation. The patient evolved favourably, maintaining high competition level.

• We need a thorough clinical examination to reach a satisfactory clinical diagnosis.

• FPAES is an uncommon disease that is frequently misdiagnosed and overlooked.

• Dynamic tests are essential for diagnosis de FPAES.