Ligament injury classification

• Grade 1 ligament injuries

  A) 10

  B) minor

  C) minor

  D) mild

  E) rehab

  F) taping

  
• Grade 2 ligament injuries

  A) 50

  B) moderate

  C) moderate

  D) variable

  E) rehab

  F) variable

  
• Grade 3 ligament injuries

  A) 90

  B) extensive

  C) severe

  D) severe

  E) rehab

  F) surgery

  
• Ligament Avulsion:

  • Ligamentous attachment pulled off bone
  • more common in younger patients
  • Less common in knee than ankle
• OTTAWA rules help determine who need an XRAY:

  • age 55 or older
  • isolated tenderness of the patella
  • tenderness of the head of fibula
  • cant flex to 90 degrees
  • unable to bear weight both immediately and in the emergency room department for 4 steps
• OTTAWA rules:

  • Series of clinical decision rules to reduce unnecessary imaging
  • Relevant findings include points of bony tenderness, weight bearing > 4 steps (plus others)
  • Only applicable in first 7 days of injury
  • Weight bearing counts even if limping ++ (immediate and in ED)