Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) for arterial thrombosis after extremity injury (non-open injuries). Methods: The clinical data of 152 patients (152 limbs) with arterial thrombosis secondary to extremity injury admitted from March 2005 to March 2013 undergoing CDT treatment were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received CDT treatment that included CDT alone in 89 cases, CDT plus percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in 51 cases, and CDT plus PTA with stent placement in 12 cases. Results: The CDT treatment time in the entire group ranged from 1 to 7 d with an average time of (4±1.5) d. One-hundred and five patients (69.1%) were cured, of whom 72 cases underwent CDT alone, 21 cases underwent CDT plus PTA, and 12 cases underwent CDT plus PTA with stent placement; 30 patients (19.7%) were improved and all of them underwent CDT plus PTA, while 17 patients (11.2%) were unimproved, of whom, primary amputation was performed in 15 cases (9.9%). A secondary embolization occurred in 5 patients during thrombolysis and they underwent thrombolysis therapy again after adjustment of the catheter position, and 23 patients (15.1%) underwent fasciotomy due to compartment syndrome of lower leg and their legs were salvaged. One-hundred and thirty-two patients (86.8%) were followed-up for 12 to 108 months, with an average time of (50±22) months. Except for 2 cases who were subjected to a two-stage amputation, no worsening or recurrence of the symptoms was noted in any of the follow-up patients. Conclusion: CDT is a safe, effective and minimally-invasive treatment method for arterial thrombosis after extremity injury.