Distal fibula fracture diagnosed with ultrasound imaging

The patient was a 31-year-old man serving in a military special forces unit at a remote location. He presented to a physical therapist with a chief complaint of worsening right lateral ankle pain that limited his ability to bear weight. Because the patient met the Ottawa ankle rules and there was concern for a fracture, radiographs were indicated. However, the nearest facility with radiographic capabilities was only available through air medical evacuation. Therefore, the physical therapist assessed the patient's ankle with an onsite portable ultrasound imaging unit, which demonstrated cortical irregularity along the distal fibula.