A 28-year-old man presents with an acutely swollen, painful right ankle after inversion injury while playing basketball. He is unable to bear weight i...

Question

A 28-year-old man presents with an acutely swollen, painful right ankle after inversion injury while playing basketball. He is unable to bear weight immediately after injury and in the emergency department. There is bony tenderness over the posterior edge of the lateral malleolus. According to the Ottawa ankle rules, what is the most appropriate management?

Accepted Answer

Order an ankle X-ray

Answer

No imaging; treat as soft tissue sprain

Answer

Order an MRI scan of the ankle

Answer

Apply a plaster cast without imaging

Answer

Discharge with advice to return if no better in 1 week

au-amc MCQ (SBA): Ankle fracture assessment