Validation of the Ottawa Ankle Rules in Australia.
OBJECTIVE
This study was a prospective validation of the Ottawa Ankle Rules (OAR) in Australia following appropriate education in the use of the rules.


METHODS
The OAR were applied to consecutive patients 18 years and over presenting with acute ankle and foot injuries to the ED of an urban teaching hospital.


RESULTS
Three hundred and thirty-three patients had 366 injuries. There were 43 fractures in 265 ankle injuries and 14 fractures in 101 foot injuries. Sensitivity was 100% for ankle (95% confidence interval (CI): 92-100) and midfoot fractures (95% CI: 77-100). Specificity was 15.8% (95% CI: 11-21) for ankle fractures and 20.7% (95% CI: 13-31) for midfoot fractures.


CONCLUSIONS
The OAR had a sensitivity of 100% for ankle and midfoot fractures when used by both junior and senior physicians.
Broomhead
Alan
A
Emergency Department, Lyell McEwin Health Service, Adelaide, Australia.abroom@switch.com.au
Stuart
Peter
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001315:Australia; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D008875:Middle Aged; D010173:Palpation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016474:Weight-Bearing