OTTAWA ANKLE RULE
The Ottawa ankle rules are a clinical decision-making strategy for determining which patients require radiographic imaging for ankle and midfoot injuries. Proper application has high (97.5%) sensitivity and reduces the need for radiographs by ~35%
The Ottawa Ankle Rules are guidelines indicating that x-ray studies should be obtained if there is a pain in the malleolar zone and
A) bony tenderness at the distal 6 cm of the fibula –or–
B) bony tenderness at the distal 6 cm of the tibia –or– inability to take 4 steps immediately after injury.
The Ottawa Foot Rules indicate that x-rays should be obtained if there is a pain in the midfoot zone and:
C) bony tenderness at the base of the fifth metatarsal –or–
D) bony tenderness at the navicular bone tibia –or– inability to take 4 steps immediately after injury
Satyendra Dhar MD, @DharSaty
