The Ottawa Ankle Rules state that a negative result indicates what diagnosis?

The Ottawa Ankle Rules state that a negative result indicates what diagnosis?

• A. Ankle sprain
• B. Fracture of the ankle
• C. Knee ligament injury
• D. No injury whatsoever

Answer: (D)

The main idea tested is how the Ottawa Ankle Rules guide imaging decisions after an acute ankle injury. When the rules are negative, it means there is no fracture suspected based on the exam findings, so radiographs are not needed to rule out a fracture. In other words, a negative result essentially excludes a bony injury of the ankle. It does not guarantee that there is no injury at all—soft tissue injuries like sprains can still occur even when the bones aren’t fractured. Among the given options, the result is best represented by the notion of no fracture present.

The main idea tested is how the Ottawa Ankle Rules guide imaging decisions after an acute ankle injury. When the rules are negative, it means there is no fracture suspected based on the exam findings, so radiographs are not needed to rule out a fracture. In other words, a negative result essentially excludes a bony injury of the ankle. It does not guarantee that there is no injury at all—soft tissue injuries like sprains can still occur even when the bones aren’t fractured. Among the given options, the result is best represented by the notion of no fracture present.