Accuracy of Ottawa Ankle Rules (OARs) for diagnosis of acute ankle injury by general physicians

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Wanchat Chinsuwatay

Abstract

Abstract


Background: Ankle injury is one of the most common orthopedic injuries presented at Emergency Departments. The majority of these patients frequently undergo plain radiographs, even though there is no sign or symptom of fracture.


Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of Ottawa Ankle Rules (OARs) in acute ankle injury diagnosed by general practitioners (GPs)


Materials and methods: Data collection was performed at Bangchak hospital from December, 1st 2017 to February, 28th 2018. Eighty-one patients who had ankle injuries were recruited. This prospective and descriptive study divided six GPs into 2 groups to examine the patients. Group 1 GPs received extra-training for OARs. Group 2 GPs who had no OARs training was controlled group. All patients were later sent for plain radiographs. Two groups were compared and analyzed using Chi square test and Diagnostic test evaluation.


Results: The results suggested that OARs-trained group produced higher diagnostic accuracy compare to non-OARs-trained group. Diagnosis using OARs yielded the following parameters: accuracy 92%, sensitivity 92%, specificity 92%, Positive Predictive Value 85% and Negative Predictive Value 96%.


Conclusion: Ottawa Ankle Rules-trained physician could improve diagnostic accuracy, and reduce the number of unnecessary plain radiographs in patient with acute ankle injury.


Keywords: acute ankle injury; physical examination; radiography; Ottawa Ankle Rules

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