Final answer:
The Ottawa ankle criteria are guidelines used in medicine to determine if an ankle injury requires X-rays. They include specific signs and symptoms that indicate a need for imaging.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Ottawa ankle criteria is a set of guidelines used in medicine to determine whether an ankle injury requires radiographs (X-rays). It helps healthcare professionals decide if imaging is necessary to diagnose a potential fracture.
The Ottawa ankle criteria include specific signs and symptoms that indicate a need for X-rays. These criteria are:
- Pain in the malleolar zone (the area around the ankle)
- Tenderness along the distal 6 cm of the posterior edge or tip of the lateral malleolus (the bony prominence on the outside of the ankle)
- Tenderness along the distal 6 cm of the posterior edge or tip of the medial malleolus (the bony prominence on the inside of the ankle)
- Inability to bear weight and take four steps immediately after the injury and during the examination
If an individual meets any of these criteria, it indicates a high likelihood of a fracture, and radiographs should be ordered.