Pittsburgh knee rules

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The Pittsburgh knee rules are a clinical decision-making strategy for determining which patients require radiographic imaging for knee pain.

A patient with knee pain qualifies for a radiograph if:

  • fall or blunt trauma
    • <12 years old or >50 years old
    • inability to take four steps, regardless of age

The original formulation of the Pittsburgh knee rules stated 100% sensitivity and 79% specificity for detection of fracture .

The Pittsburgh knee rules are often thought of in the context of the Ottawa knee rules. Some believe the Pittsburgh knee rules offer increased specificity .

See also