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Urgent Care Q & A

What is orthopedic urgent care?

Orthopedic urgent care provides prompt treatment for various musculoskeletal injuries, including:

  • Broken bones (fractures)
  • Dislocated joints
  • Muscle strains
  • Tendon and ligament injuries

If you have a chronic condition, like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, and the symptoms affect your mobility or quality of life, orthopedic urgent care can provide lasting relief.

 

Should I visit orthopedic care or an emergency room?

It depends. If you have severe symptoms, like shortness of breath or excessive bleeding, call 9-1-1 or visit your nearest emergency room immediately. 

Conversely, if you injure yourself and have mild or moderate symptoms, like swelling, bruising, or pain, call Southwest Orthopedic Associates or walk into the office. The orthopedic specialists set aside time each day for urgent care appointments and will do their best to see you right away. 

 

What happens during an orthopedic urgent care visit?

Your Southwest Orthopedic Associates provider reviews your medical records and asks about the reason for your visit, including the symptoms you’re experiencing, their location, and severity.

Then, they complete an orthopedic exam, checking your skin for redness, bruising, or swelling. Your provider gently presses on the affected area checking for sensitive places and assesses your muscle strength, reflexes, and range of motion.

Last, they order diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI, to get a closer look at your bones, joints, and surrounding tissues. After making a diagnosis, your provider makes personalized treatment recommendations. 

 

What types of treatment does orthopedic urgent care provide?

Southwest Orthopedic Associates uses minimally invasive and conservative treatments to manage musculoskeletal injuries that require urgent care. Your provider might recommend:

  • Physical therapy
  • Regenerative medicine
  • Sports medicine
  • Ice or heat therapy
  • A brace, cast, or splint
  • Activity modification

Often, these measures are enough to relieve swelling and encourage your body’s healing process. If your symptoms continue or worsen, you might benefit from surgical treatment, like total joint replacement.

 

How can I prevent the need for orthopedic urgent care?

There’s no way to prevent accidents and injuries entirely, but you can reduce your risk by taking specific steps. Southwest Orthopedic Associates recommends warming up and cooling down before and after exercise, using the proper form when lifting, and listening to your body. For example, if an activity causes you pain, stop doing it. 

Call Southwest Orthopedic Associates today to schedule orthopedic urgent care, or walk into the office.