Applicability of the Ottawa Ankle Rules

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Ankle Fracture; Ankle Sprain
• Interventions: Behavioral: Ottawa ankle rules

• Registration Number: NCT01561365
• Lead Sponsor: Hadassah Medical Organization

Brief Summary

The aim of this prospective study was to compare outcomes in patients handled by emergency physician according to OAR versus by an orthopedic resident.

92 consecutive patients with ankle injuries attending our emergency department were divided in two groups. The study group comprised 32 patients who arrived during the morning shift and were examined by an emergency physician according to OAR. Patients discharged without an x-ray were followed in the clinic or by telephone communication. The control group constituted 60 patients who were examined during the evening and night shifts by orthopedic residents unaware of this study.

Detailed Description

Objective. Ankle and midfoot injuries are common orthopedic complaints, both in general medicine and orthopedic practice. The percentage of fractures among these injuries is small, however many will undergo x-ray. Ottawa ankle rules (OAR) are clinical guidelines for determining whether to use radiography in such cases. The aim of this prospective study was to compare outcomes in patients handled by emergency physician according to OAR versus by an orthopedic resident. Also, we validated the applicability of OAR in an emergency department in our country.

Methods. 92 consecutive patients with ankle injuries attending our emergency department were divided in two groups. The study group comprised 32 patients who arrived during the morning shift and were examined by an emergency physician according to OAR. Patients discharged without an x-ray were followed in the clinic or by telephone communication. The control group constituted 60 patients who were examined during the evening and night shifts by orthopedic residents unaware of this study.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2003-10
• Primary Completion: 2004-05
• Study Completion: 2004-05
• Status Verified: 2012-03
• Study First Submitted: 2012-03-18
• Study First Submitted QC: 2012-03-21
• Last Update Submitted: 2012-03-21
• Study First Posted: 2012-03-23
• Last Update Posted: 2012-03-23

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 92

Inclusion Criteria

• ankle trauma

Exclusion Criteria

• unwilling to participate

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Emergency	Ottawa ankle rules	-
Orthopedic residents	Ottawa ankle rules	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Amount of patients sent to xrays	2 hours

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
missed fractures	2 weeks

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hadassah Medical Organization, Jerusalem, Israel; 🇮🇱 Jerusalem, Israel