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J Accid Emerg Med 1999;16:258-260 doi:10.1136/emj.16.4.258
  • Research Article

Prospective survey to verify the Ottawa ankle rules.

  1. S Perry,
  2. N Raby,
  3. P T Grant
  1. Accident and Emergency Department, Western Infirmary, Glasgow.

      Abstract

      OBJECTIVE: To determine if the Ottawa ankle rules are valid in the setting of an urban teaching hospital in the UK. DESIGN: A prospective survey. SETTING: Accident and emergency department, Western Infirmary, Glasgow from 1 April 1995 to 31 August 1995. SUBJECTS: 800 patients with an acute ankle injury. RESULTS: 800 patients were used for analysis of which 584 (73%) were radiographed; 70 (12%) had fractures, 63 (10.8%) of which were significant. Four of these patients with fractures fulfilled none of the Ottawa ankle rules criteria for plain radiography. CONCLUSION: Application of the Ottawa ankle rules to this group of patients would have produced a sensitivity of 93.6%. Although useful, decision rules should be used with care and not replace clinical judgment and experience.

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