Orthopedic Urgent Care
Orthopedic urgent care is focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of injuries and disorders of the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments - usually within 24 hours.
When should you Visit an Orthopedic Urgent Care?
If you suffer an acute or sudden orthopedic injury that causes intense pain, then you should visit orthopedic urgent care. These emergencies include:
- Accidents and falls
- Bone fractures: These can include fracture at a severe angle, visible bone, open skin over the fracture, deep cuts, and burns.
- Strains and sprains
- Joint dislocation
- Broken collarbone or AC joint sprain
- Biceps, triceps or quadriceps tendon tears
- Wrist and forearm injuries with an inability to roll your arm back and forth without pain
- Hip, knee, lower leg, ankle and foot injuries with an inability to weight-bear
- Hamstring injuries due to sports like waterskiing
- Deep knife wounds or gunshot wounds
- Heavy, uncontrollable bleeding
- Cuts that don’t involve much blood but might need stitches
Is an Appointment Necessary for an Orthopedic Urgent Care?
No. Orthopedic emergencies can be treated through walk-ins.
What are the Services included in an Orthopedic Urgent Care?
You receive the following services at orthopedic urgent care:
- Consultation for a current condition and prevention of further complications
- Diagnostic services, including X-rays and laboratory tests
- Administration of analgesic medications through oral, intramuscular or intravenous routes
- Minor surgical procedures like incisions, sutures, and splinting
- Physical therapy regimen instructions
Types of Healthcare Personnel at an Orthopedic Urgent Care
The different healthcare workers in orthopedic urgent care include:
- Physician (MD)
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
- Nurse practitioner (NP)
- Physician Assistant (PA)
- X-ray technician also called a radiologic technologist
What Can you Find in an Orthopedic Urgent Care?
An orthopedic urgent care facility consists of:
- Sufficient stock of medicine
- X-ray machines
- An electrocardiogram (EKG) machine
- Blood pressure monitoring equipment
- Blood collection (phlebotomy) services
- Life-support systems such as an automated external defibrillator (AED) and oxygen support
- Other equipment specific for diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic injuries such as fractures, pain, sprains, and dislocations.
The facility must contain a minimum of two examination rooms, a separate waiting area, and restrooms exclusively for patients.
What are the Work Timings in an Orthopedic Urgent Care?
Orthopedic urgent care usually operates per the given timings:
- ≥4 hours each day
- 7 days/week excluding national holidays
- ≥3,000 hours per year
What are the Benefits of Orthopedic Urgent Care?
Visiting an orthopedic urgent care facility offers you the following benefits:
- The reduced waiting time in the hospitals
- Improved access to orthopedic specialists
- Decreased healthcare costs
