Ankle joint: Difference between revisions
imported>Robert Badgett |
imported>Howard C. Berkowitz No edit summary |
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==Injuries== | ==Injuries== | ||
Especially in the U.S., it has been the standard of care to X-ray every non-trivial ankle injury. An X-ray will modify treatment only if a fracture exists, so if fracture can be excluded, the cost and radiation exposure of X-rays can be avoided. | |||
This is not to suggest that severe ankle sprains cannot be as or more disabling than fractures. Indeed, obtaining a history is important to assessment; repeated sprains can increase vulnerability to soft tissue injury that may eventually need surgical repair. | |||
===Field care=== | |||
Unless there are visible lacerations or protruding bones, the basic care, even of a minor ankle injury, uses the '''RICE''' mnemonic: | |||
*'''R'''est | |||
*'''I'''ce | |||
*'''C'''ompression | |||
*'''E'''levation | |||
[[NSAID]]s are appropriate pain relief for minor injuries; opioids may well be required, but the need for them indicates that a full evaluation is required. | |||
===Diagnosis=== | ===Diagnosis=== | ||
The Ottawa ankle rules, a [[clinical prediction rule]], can indicate a possible fracture and the need for [[x-ray]]s (see [http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/326/7386/417/F1 image]):<ref name="pmid11944759">{{cite journal |author=Glas AS, Pijnenburg BA, Lijmer JG, ''et al'' |title=Comparison of diagnostic decision rules and structured data collection in assessment of acute ankle injury |journal=CMAJ |volume=166 |issue=6 |pages=727–33 |year=2002 |month=March |pmid=11944759 |pmc=99451 |doi= |url=http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=11944759 |issn=}}</ref><ref name="pmid12595378">{{cite journal |author=Bachmann LM, Kolb E, Koller MT, Steurer J, ter Riet G |title=Accuracy of Ottawa ankle rules to exclude fractures of the ankle and mid-foot: systematic review |journal=BMJ |volume=326 |issue=7386 |pages=417 |year=2003 |month=February |pmid=12595378 |pmc=149439 |doi=10.1136/bmj.326.7386.417 |url=http://bmj.com/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=12595378 |issn=}}</ref><ref name="pmid19187397">{{cite journal |author=Dowling S, Spooner CH, Liang Y, ''et al.'' |title=Accuracy of Ottawa Ankle Rules to exclude fractures of the ankle and midfoot in children: a meta-analysis |journal=Acad Emerg Med |volume=16 |issue=4 |pages=277–87 |year=2009 |month=April |pmid=19187397 |doi=10.1111/j.1553-2712.2008.00333.x |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1553-2712.2008.00333.x |issn=}}</ref> | The Ottawa ankle rules, a [[clinical prediction rule]], can indicate a possible fracture and the need for [[x-ray]]s (see [http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/326/7386/417/F1 image]):<ref name="pmid11944759">{{cite journal |author=Glas AS, Pijnenburg BA, Lijmer JG, ''et al'' |title=Comparison of diagnostic decision rules and structured data collection in assessment of acute ankle injury |journal=CMAJ |volume=166 |issue=6 |pages=727–33 |year=2002 |month=March |pmid=11944759 |pmc=99451 |doi= |url=http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=11944759 |issn=}}</ref><ref name="pmid12595378">{{cite journal |author=Bachmann LM, Kolb E, Koller MT, Steurer J, ter Riet G |title=Accuracy of Ottawa ankle rules to exclude fractures of the ankle and mid-foot: systematic review |journal=BMJ |volume=326 |issue=7386 |pages=417 |year=2003 |month=February |pmid=12595378 |pmc=149439 |doi=10.1136/bmj.326.7386.417 |url=http://bmj.com/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=12595378 |issn=}}</ref><ref name="pmid19187397">{{cite journal |author=Dowling S, Spooner CH, Liang Y, ''et al.'' |title=Accuracy of Ottawa Ankle Rules to exclude fractures of the ankle and midfoot in children: a meta-analysis |journal=Acad Emerg Med |volume=16 |issue=4 |pages=277–87 |year=2009 |month=April |pmid=19187397 |doi=10.1111/j.1553-2712.2008.00333.x |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1553-2712.2008.00333.x |issn=}}</ref> | ||
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** "Inability to bear weight both immediately after the injury and in the emergency department" | ** "Inability to bear weight both immediately after the injury and in the emergency department" | ||
In diabetics or other patients with potentially impaired leg circulation, evaluation should be more aggressive, with [[deep vein thrombosis]] and [[cellulitis]] considered. | |||
===Treatment=== | ===Treatment=== | ||
For severe sprains, below-knee casts for 10 days may be better than compression bandages.<ref>Lamb SE et al on behalf of The Collaborative Ankle Support Trial (CAST Group) (2009). Mechanical supports for acute, severe ankle sprain: a pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 373;9663:575-581. {{doi|10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60206-3}}</ref> | After the first 48 hours, or when swelling has stopped, moist heat is more likely to help than continuing ice, although this should be adapted to patient preference. | ||
For severe sprains, below-knee casts for 10 days may be better than compression bandages.<ref>Lamb SE et al on behalf of The Collaborative Ankle Support Trial (CAST Group) (2009). Mechanical supports for acute, severe ankle sprain: a pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 373;9663:575-581. {{doi|10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60206-3}}</ref> Removable rigid braces may be preferable to casts if the patient is traveling away from medical care, and there is a possibility of compression syndrome. | |||
Severe fractures, and some soft tissue injuries, may need surgical repair. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
Revision as of 09:08, 4 June 2009
In anatomy, the ankle joint is the "joint that is formed by the inferior articular and malleolar articular surfaces of the tibia; the malleolar articular surface of the fibula; and the medial malleolar, lateral malleolar, and superior surfaces of the talus"[1]
Injuries
Especially in the U.S., it has been the standard of care to X-ray every non-trivial ankle injury. An X-ray will modify treatment only if a fracture exists, so if fracture can be excluded, the cost and radiation exposure of X-rays can be avoided.
This is not to suggest that severe ankle sprains cannot be as or more disabling than fractures. Indeed, obtaining a history is important to assessment; repeated sprains can increase vulnerability to soft tissue injury that may eventually need surgical repair.
Field care
Unless there are visible lacerations or protruding bones, the basic care, even of a minor ankle injury, uses the RICE mnemonic:
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
NSAIDs are appropriate pain relief for minor injuries; opioids may well be required, but the need for them indicates that a full evaluation is required.
Diagnosis
The Ottawa ankle rules, a clinical prediction rule, can indicate a possible fracture and the need for x-rays (see image):[2][3][4]
Ankle x-rays may be needed
- "...if there is pain in the malleolar zone and one or more of the following:
- "Bone tenderness at posterior edge (distal 6 cm) or tip of lateral malleolus"
- "Bone tenderness at posterior edge (distal 6 cm) or tip of medial malleolus"
- "Inability to bear weight both immediately after the injury and in the emergency department"
Foot x-rays may be needed
- "...if there is pain in the midfoot zone and one or more of the following:
- "Bone tenderness at base of fifth metatarsal"
- "Bone tenderness at navicular bone"
- "Inability to bear weight both immediately after the injury and in the emergency department"
In diabetics or other patients with potentially impaired leg circulation, evaluation should be more aggressive, with deep vein thrombosis and cellulitis considered.
Treatment
After the first 48 hours, or when swelling has stopped, moist heat is more likely to help than continuing ice, although this should be adapted to patient preference.
For severe sprains, below-knee casts for 10 days may be better than compression bandages.[5] Removable rigid braces may be preferable to casts if the patient is traveling away from medical care, and there is a possibility of compression syndrome.
Severe fractures, and some soft tissue injuries, may need surgical repair.
References
- ↑ Anonymous (2024), Ankle joint (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- ↑ Glas AS, Pijnenburg BA, Lijmer JG, et al (March 2002). "Comparison of diagnostic decision rules and structured data collection in assessment of acute ankle injury". CMAJ 166 (6): 727–33. PMID 11944759. PMC 99451. [e]
- ↑ Bachmann LM, Kolb E, Koller MT, Steurer J, ter Riet G (February 2003). "Accuracy of Ottawa ankle rules to exclude fractures of the ankle and mid-foot: systematic review". BMJ 326 (7386): 417. DOI:10.1136/bmj.326.7386.417. PMID 12595378. PMC 149439. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Dowling S, Spooner CH, Liang Y, et al. (April 2009). "Accuracy of Ottawa Ankle Rules to exclude fractures of the ankle and midfoot in children: a meta-analysis". Acad Emerg Med 16 (4): 277–87. DOI:10.1111/j.1553-2712.2008.00333.x. PMID 19187397. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Lamb SE et al on behalf of The Collaborative Ankle Support Trial (CAST Group) (2009). Mechanical supports for acute, severe ankle sprain: a pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 373;9663:575-581. DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60206-3