Lower Limb

Question 1

What are the Ottawa Rules regarding the ankle?

Answer 1

Ankle X-ray only required when there is pain in the malleolar zone and any of these findings:

• boney tenderness at the lateral malleolar zone (from the tip of the lateral malleolus to include the lower 6 cm of posterior border of the fibular)
• boney tenderness at the medial malleolar zone (from the tip of the medial malleolus to the lower 6 cm of the posterior border of the tibia)
• inability to walk FOUR weight bearing steps immediately after the injury and in the emergency department

Question 2

What are the Ottawa Rules regarding the foot?

Answer 2

Foot x-ray if there is any pain in the mid zone or any of these findings:

• bone tenderness at Navicular bone
• bone tenderness at base of the 5th metatarsal
• inability to weight bear both immediately and in the emergency department

Question 3

What are the Ottawa Rules regarding the Knee?

Answer 3

• age 55 years or older
• tenderness at the head of the fibula
• isolated tenderness of the patella
• inability to flex knee to 90 degrees
• inability to walk FOUR weight bearing steps immediately after the injury and in the emergency department