Urgent care clinics offer same-day services for individuals with non-life-threatening medical issues that require prompt attention. These facilities bridge the gap between primary care physicians, who often have limited same-day availability, and hospital emergency rooms (ERs), which are equipped for severe conditions and injuries. Understanding which situations are appropriate for urgent healthcare can help you. Here’s information on urgent healthcare and when to visit a walk-in clinic versus the ER:
Fracture Injuries
When an injury involves a potential bone fracture, what healthcare you should get depends on the severity of the injury. Urgent care centers can assess and stabilize minor fractures. These typically include closed fractures, where the skin is not broken, and non-displaced fractures, where the bone fragments remain aligned.
When Urgent Care Is Appropriate
An urgent healthcare facility can evaluate injuries like a suspected broken finger, toe, or wrist fracture. They often perform initial X-rays, provide pain management, and apply a splint or temporary cast. More severe injuries require the comprehensive resources of an emergency room.
When the ER Is More Appropriate
If a suspected broken bone has caused a significant deformity, like a limb being visibly out of place, or if the bone has pierced the skin, the ER is the proper destination. The same applies to injuries involving severe pain, major trauma from an accident, or multiple suspected fractures. These situations require advanced imaging, surgical capabilities, and specialized care, all of which are available in a hospital setting.
Muscle Injuries
Muscle injuries are common occurrences that can result from sports, exercise, or daily activities. Urgent care is well-suited for evaluating mild to moderate muscle strains, contusions (bruises), and sprains. These injuries often present with localized pain, swelling, and a limited range of motion.
Possible treatments you might receive at an urgent care center for muscle and sports injuries include:
- Guidance on Rest and Activity Modification
- Instructions for Using Compression Wraps
- Immobilization With a Splint or Brace
- Recommendations for Pain Management
- Referral to a Physical Therapist for Rehabilitation
- Instructions for a Safe Return to Activity
Tendon and Ligament Injuries
Tendon and ligament injuries, commonly known as strains (affecting tendons) and sprains (affecting ligaments), can range from minor to severe. Urgent centers can be an effective first stop for many of these injuries. Mild to moderate sprains and strains, like a twisted ankle or a strained back muscle from lifting, can typically be evaluated at an urgent healthcare clinic.
Health professionals at an urgent center may be able to treat orthopedic conditions like a knee or shoulder dislocation. These injuries are characterized by pain and swelling but maintain overall stability. If you can still bear some weight on the injured limb and do not have significant numbness or loss of function, an urgent care provider can assess the injury, provide initial treatment, and determine if further specialist care is needed.
Learn More About Urgent Care
To prepare for a non-emergency medical need, it is helpful to identify urgent care clinics in your area and confirm they are in your insurance network. You can often find this information by contacting a local clinic directly or by visiting your insurance provider’s website. For symptoms that you believe could be life-threatening, including chest pain, difficulty breathing, or severe trauma, always call emergency services.
