Question

According to Ottawa Ankle Rules, when should you perform an ankle X-ray versus a foot X-ray?

A) Ankle: Bone tenderness at the posterior edge or tip of the lateral malleolus
Foot: Bone tenderness at the base of the fifth metatarsal
B) Ankle: Inability to bear weight both immediately and in the emergency department
Foot: Bone tenderness at the navicular bone
C) Ankle: Pain in the midfoot region
Foot: Tenderness at the base of the first metatarsal
D) Ankle: Bone tenderness at the posterior edge or tip of the medial malleolus
Foot: Tenderness at the base of the second metatarsal

Answer 1

According to the Ottawa Ankle Rules, an ankle X-ray is necessary if there is bone tenderness at the posterior edge or tip of the lateral or medial malleolus. A foot X-ray is indicated for tenderness at the base of the fifth metatarsal or at the navicular bone.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Ottawa Ankle Rules are a set of guidelines used to help decide whether an X-ray is required for a patient with a foot or ankle injury. According to these rules, an ankle X-ray is indicated if there is any bone tenderness at the posterior edge or tip of the lateral or medial malleolus. Specifically, a foot X-ray is indicated when there is bone tenderness at the base of the fifth metatarsal (for midfoot injuries), or at the navicular bone.

To recap the answer, the correct choices would be:

• Ankle: Bone tenderness at the posterior edge or tip of the lateral malleolus or the medial malleolus.
• Foot: Bone tenderness at the base of the fifth metatarsal or at the navicular bone.

It is worth noting that the Ottawa Ankle Rules also include the inability to bear weight both immediately after the injury and in the emergency department as an indication for an X-ray.