Final answer:
The Ottawa ankle rules are guidelines indicating when to perform an X-ray for potential foot or ankle fractures, specifically if there's an inability to bear weight or tenderness at certain foot and ankle areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Ottawa ankle rules are a set of guidelines used by healthcare professionals to decide whether a patient with foot or ankle pain should have an X-ray to diagnose a possible fracture. According to these rules, an X-ray is recommended if the patient exhibits any of the following:
- Inability to bear weight immediately after the injury and when they present for evaluation.
- Tenderness at specific points on the foot and ankle; for the foot, this includes the base of the fifth metatarsal (on the outside of the foot) or the navicular bone (on the inside of the arch).
These rules are designed to reduce unnecessary X-rays, which can lead to undue radiation exposure and healthcare costs. They are a helpful decision-making tool for clinicians when assessing injuries to the foot and ankle.