The Ottawa Knee Rule is a clinical tool designed for the assessment of patients with acute knee injuries. It aids in determining the need for radiographic imaging, thereby reducing unnecessary exposure to radiation and healthcare costs. The target patient population includes those presenting with acute knee trauma.
The primary components of the Ottawa Knee Rule include age (55 years or older), tenderness at the fibular head, isolated tenderness of the patella, inability to flex the knee to 90 degrees, and inability to bear weight both immediately and in the emergency department. Each of these components contributes to the overall assessment of the patient's injury severity and the subsequent need for radiographic evaluation.
Reference
I G Stiell, G H Greenberg, G A Wells et al. Derivation of a decision rule for the use of radiography in acute knee injuries. Ann Emerg Med. 1995 Oct;26(4):405-13.
Open reference URL