Ottawa knee rules

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The Ottawa knee rules are a set of rules used to help physicians determine whether an x-ray of the knee is needed.[1]

They state that an X-ray is required only in patients who have an acute knee injury with one or more of the following:

  • Age 55 years or older
  • Tenderness at head of fibula
  • Isolated tenderness of patella
  • Inability to flex the knee greater than 90°
  • Inability to bear weight both immediately and in the emergency department (4 steps)

The Ottawa knee rules were derived to aid in the efficient use of radiography in acute knee injuries and have since been prospectively validated on multiple occasions in different populations and in both children and adults.

specificity for the Ottawa knee rules is typically poor, meaning that a significant proportion of those who meet Ottawa knee criteria will have no knee fracture on X-ray. The Pittsburgh knee rules have been found to be more specific in diagnosis.[3]

Clinical decision guidelines such as these not only avoid

try to avoid using it whenever practical
.

See also

External links

References

  1. ^ "Ottawa Knee Rule - Emergency Medicine Research - Ottawa Hospital Research Institute".
  2. PMID 9403421
    .
  3. PMID 23399332
    .


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