/Ottawa Knee Rules

Ottawa Knee Rules

Determines need for knee radiographs

Total Score

0

Low risk of fracture. Knee X-ray series is NOT indicated.

00Low
15High

Disclaimer: The clinical scoring and algorithms on this platform are intended strictly for professional informational purposes. They do not constitute a definitive medical diagnosis, treatment, or clinical decision. The final judgment and responsibility lie with the treating physician.

Yasal Uyarı: Bu platformdaki klinik skorlamalar ve algoritmalar yalnızca sağlık profesyonellerini bilgilendirme amaçlıdır. Herhangi bir kesin tıbbi teşhis, tedavi veya klinik karar yerine geçemez. Nihai karar ve sorumluluk hastayı yatak başında değerlendiren hekime aittir.

Clinical Overview

The Ottawa Knee Rules are designed to rule out fractures (patella, femoral condyles, proximal tibia/fibula) in patients with acute knee injuries. By systematically assessing age, point tenderness, and range of motion, it drastically reduces unnecessary knee X-rays without missing clinically significant fractures.

Clinical Pearl

If a patient cannot flex their knee to 90 degrees, it is hard to distinguish in the acute ED setting whether the restriction is due to pain or a mechanical block (e.g., tense hemarthrosis or meniscus tear). The rule safely dictates obtaining an X-ray in either scenario.

Pitfalls & Warnings

  • Not validated for injuries occurring more than 7 days prior to evaluation.
  • A negative rule does not rule out ligamentous or meniscal (soft tissue) injuries.

Academic References

Stiell IG, Greenberg GH, Wells GA, et al. Prospective validation of a decision rule for the use of radiography in acute knee injuries. JAMA. 1996;275(8):611-615.

Disclaimer: The clinical scoring and algorithms on this platform are intended strictly for professional informational purposes. They do not constitute a definitive medical diagnosis, treatment, or clinical decision. The final judgment and responsibility lie with the treating physician.