8. I sprained my ankle-which symptoms mean I might need an x-ray?
ANSWER: A. You can’t bear weight enough to walk three steps
Doctors use the Ottawa Rules to help decide if a fracture is likely (and therefore whether or not to get an x-ray.) There are three basic parts:
- Could you bear weight enough to walk four steps right after the injury?
- Can you bear weight enough to walk four steps now?
- Is there tenderness to touch on the inside or outside back (posterior) portion of your ankle bones (along the bones)?
A YES to any ONE of these means we should consider an x-ray to look for a fracture.
[See Ankle Sprains]