Acute ankle and knee injuries

Ankle and knee sprains are common presentations in primary care, and the number of imaging requests for these injuries has been rising.

 

For consumers, check out Ankle sprains: 10 things you should know

Acute ankle and knee injuries

Key points

  • Patient history and physical examination are as accurate as imaging for diagnosing acute ankle and knee injuries.
  • Apply the Ottawa Ankle Rules or Ottawa Knee Rules to rule out fracture.
  • Only consider imaging if the results will change your management of the injury.
  • Conservative management is based on rest, ice, compression and elevation  (RICE) and no heat, alcohol, re-injury or massage (HARM) in the first days after injury.
  • If physical examination is limited because of pain and swelling, provide conservative management and re-evaluate 4 days after injury for ankle sprains (lateral ligament) and 1–2 weeks after injury for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears.
  • Consider referral to an orthopedic specialist if symptoms persist, despite conservative management.
 

GP survey results: how did this program change practice? 

Woman with hurt ankle

In October 2016 NPS MedicineWise launched the program Ankle and knee injuries: your imaging choices. As part of our regular evaluation, we surveyed GPs on how their knowledge, awareness and practice in diagnosis and management of acute ankle and knee injuries had changed as a result of taking part in the program. 

Read the full evaluation

 

MedicineWise News: Diagnosing knee pain in middle-aged patients


    <img src=

Knee pain is common in middle-aged patients, and brings them to your surgery often. But is it an acute injury or older damage? In almost all cases a diagnosis can be made without advanced imaging techniques such as MRI.

Find out more about the latest evidence and recommendations

 

NPS MedicineWise videos: physical examination of acute ankle and knee injuries


    <img src=

See how to perform physical examination tests and apply the Ottawa Rules for the diagnosis of these common acute ankle and knee injuries.

  • Meniscal tears
  • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
  • Ankle sprains (lateral ligament)
  • Fractures
  • Meniscal tears
  • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
  • Ankle sprains (lateral ligament)
  • Fractures
 

CPD options for knee and ankle imaging

Consolidate your knowledge about knee and ankle injuries and imaging, brush up on current guidelines and practices and earn CPD points through our learning activities.

For GPs:

 

In my practice: Dr Andrew Rees on diagnosing ankle and knee injuries


    <img src=

Since the early 2000s the number of ankle ultrasounds and knee MRI referrals has been rising in primary care. GPs can turn the tide by improving their knowledge and building confidence in their diagnostic and management skills.

Find out how one GP has tackled the challenge.

 

Clinical snapshot: Help remembering the Ottawa Ankle Rules


    <img src=

The Ottawa Ankle Rules (OAR) are a highly sensitive, validated tool for deciding whether to order an X-ray for an acute ankle injury.

The 44-55-66-PM mnemonic might  help you remember them.

A single-blind RCT of 206 participants (96 medical students and 94 hospital residents) gave one group the mnemonic and a control group the standard version of the OAR.

At 3 weeks both groups had improved their memory of the OAR, after 5–9 months the mnemonic group had better recall.

The Ottawa Ankle Rules (OAR): 44-55-66-PM

Patients need an X-ray only if:

4 Unable to do 4 steps immediately AND

4 Unable to do 4 steps in the emergency department

or

5 Has pain at the base of the 5th metatarsal

5 Has pain at the 5caphoid (navicular)

or

6 Tenderness in 6 cm posterior edge of lateral malleolus

6 Tenderness in 6 cm posterior edge of medial malleolus

 

Choosing Wisely Australia

<div class=

Choosing Wisely Australia helps healthcare providers and consumers have important conversations about improving the quality of healthcare by reducing unnecessary and sometimes harmful tests, treatments, and procedures.

Led by Australia’s colleges, societies and associations and facilitated by NPS MedicineWise, Choosing Wisely Australia challenges the way we think about healthcare, questioning the notion 'more is always better'.

5 questions to ask your doctor or other healthcare provider is a resource that can help patients ensure they end up with the right amount of care.

Clinical resources and tools

Ottawa Rules

  • Ottawa Ankle Rules: These clinical prediction rules guide whether to refer a patient with an acute ankle injury for an X-ray.
  • Ottawa Knee Rules: These clinical prediction rules guide whether to refer a patient with an acute knee injury for an X-ray. 

Australian guidance

Diagnostic pathways

MBS Online

 

For your patients

Discuss acute ankle and knee injuries with your patients using our mediated action plan. The plan has been designed and developed by NPS MedicineWise to support your consultation.

 

5 Questions to ask your doctor or other healthcare provider

<div class=

Choosing Wisely Australia helps healthcare providers and consumers have important conversations about improving the quality of healthcare by reducing unnecessary and sometimes harmful tests, treatments, and procedures.

Led by Australia’s colleges, societies and associations and facilitated by NPS MedicineWise, Choosing Wisely Australia challenges the way we think about healthcare, questioning the notion 'more is always better'.

5 questions to ask your doctor or other healthcare provider is a resource that can help patients ensure they end up with the right amount of care.

Essential reading

Knee: general

Meniscal tears

Anterior crucial ligament (ACL) tears

Fractures

Ankle sprains (lateral ligament)

Fractures