Orthopedic injuries can knock you off your feet or make it difficult to perform activities of daily living. While some of these injuries require a trip to the emergency room (ER), many don’t. For minor injuries affecting bones and joints, an ortho walk-in clinic is a great option.
If you experience a minor orthopedic injury, turn to an orthopedic walk-in clinic. Here’s why.
Walk in and out With Speed
From sprains and strains to broken bones, orthopedic injuries often cause pain. A quick diagnosis puts you on the path to relief and healing. When it comes to speed, nothing beats orthopedic walk-in clinics.
In the ER, the most severe cases get fast-tracked. This makes sense. You should skip to the front of the line if you’re having a heart attack. At the walk-in clinic, however, you receive care on a first-come, first-served basis. As a result, an ortho walk-in clinic can give you access to faster orthopedic care.
Orthopedic walk-in clinics provide quality care for minor injuries, including:
- Bone or joint issues that recently developed
- Muscle strains
- Simple fractures (bone breaks that do not push through the skin)
- Sprained ankles
If you’ve had orthopedic pain for a few weeks or months, contact your primary provider. For a serious orthopedic injury, call 911 and go to the ER.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, orthopedic injuries that require emergency care include:
- Bone broken in multiple places or poking through skin
- Injury accompanied with fever or loss of consciousness
- Intense pain at the site of injury
- Loss of ability to bear weight or move the injured limb
- Severe bleeding
Specializing in Orthopedic Care
At an ortho walk-in clinic, all team members are orthopedic specialists. They focus on orthopedic care all day, every day. These highly trained experts specialize in diagnosing orthopedic issues and creating customized treatment plans.
They understand that some orthopedic injuries don’t require medical care beyond ice, rest and over-the-counter pain medication. Other injuries require bracing or – in some cases – orthopedic surgery.
With their experience and specialized training, ortho team members determine what your bones and joints need. You can then begin treatment and recovery.
Smooth Transitions
Some minor orthopedic issues turn out to need major care. When this happens, the ortho walk-in clinic team helps you transition to the next step in your care.
Based on your needs, your team may do the following:
- Help you schedule an MRI or CT scan for additional diagnostic testing
- Suggest you schedule with an orthopedic surgeon or pain management physician
At the Union Health Ortho Walk-In Clinic, our orthopedic physicians have strong relationships with Union Health providers. These relationships ensure a smooth transition to whatever level of care you need.