Orthopedic injuries are all too common. Children and seniors are especially impacted by broken bones, fractures, and similar injuries. Urgent care centers see a variety of orthopedic patients. If you are thinking about coming to urgent care for a bone injury, this is what you need to know.
Orthopedic Injuries Happen Daily
Many people do not realize they have an orthopedic injury until hours after the injury occurred. Urgent care doctors see patients who experienced injuries resulting from a sporting event, slip and fall accident, auto accident, or even household mishap.
Types of Injuries Urgent Care Can Treat
Many types of injuries can be treated at an urgent care center. If you are unsure if urgent care is the right place to go, it is a good idea to call ahead of time to make sure that you do not need to go to the emergency room instead.
Urgent care center injuries may include the following:
- Broken bones
- Fractured bones
- Bruised bones
- Sprains
- Dislocated bones
- Pulled muscles
- Back pain
- Wrist or ankle pain
- Joint pain
Some of these injuries impact several parts of the body at once, but any indication that you experience bone pain is a good reason to consider treatment, especially if the pain is also accompanied by swelling or inflammation.
What Happens During an Urgent Care Visit
An urgent care visit for a potential orthopedic injury may include a series of X-rays to look for potential breaks and fractures. In some cases, an X-ray is not needed because the injury is obvious. In other cases, the doctor wants to ensure that there is nothing else happening below the surface.
When it comes to bone injuries, X-rays are often the main diagnostic tool used. The doctor will then look at the available treatment options to ensure that you are on the path toward healing.
After the problem is diagnosed and you have a treatment plan, your urgent care doctor may also provide you with pain management techeniques. This might include medication and assistive tools like crutches that help you avoid further injury.
Come to an Urgent Care Center When You Need Fast Help
If you are in a position where you need help quickly and do not have time to wait for your doctor to have an appointment, you can count on an urgent care center for more help. Visit an urgent care center if you have an orthopedic injury.
