November 21, 2017 - TCO

Quick guide: When to visit Orthopedic Urgent Care

One thing’s for sure: That spill you took hurt. But does the pain require immediate attention from a specialist? Maybe it can wait for a scheduled appointment. It can be tough to tell.

If you suffer an acute orthopedic injury – a sudden injury that causes severe or intense pain – you should visit a specialist at Twin Cities Orthopedics Orthopedic Urgent Care to make sure your injury is treated correctly from the start. Visit an Orthopedic Urgent Care for:

• Simple bone fractures
• Any acute injury with crunchiness when moving or touching
• Muscle and tendon strains and ligament and joint sprains
• Broken collarbone or AC joint sprain or separated shoulder
• Torn biceps, triceps or quadriceps tendon
• Wrist and forearm injuries with an inability to roll your arm back and forth without pain
• Hamstring injuries from waterskiing or “splits”
• Lower extremity injuries (foot, ankle, lower leg, knee and hip) with an inability to put weight on it

We understand that life happens, so our Orthopedic Urgent Care clinics are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week to provide more convenience for your busy schedule. You don’t need a referral or appointment to be treated by an orthopedic provider who specializes in muscle, bone and joint care.

When to schedule an appointment

There are orthopedic conditions that don’t require immediate attention and are more suitable for an appointment with a TCO specialist at a later date. If you’re already being treated for a specific condition by a physician, schedule an appointment with a specialist. Also schedule an appointment for:

• A chronic issue
• Being referred by a primary care physician or pediatrician to follow up with orthopedics
• Non-acute – more than three days since the injury/pain began – injuries to the neck, back or extremities
• Lower extremity injuries – foot, ankle, lower leg, knee or hip – where you can still put weight on it: foot, ankle or knee sprains, suspected meniscus tear

When to visit emergency room or hospital urgent care

Even though our orthopedic experts provide you with outstanding care each time, there still are certain injuries that are best handled in an emergency room. Please visit an emergency room when:

• The bone is visible
• There’s an open wound over the fracture (compound fracture)
• The bone is fractured at a severe angle
• There are cuts and/or deep lacerations
• The area is burned

Find a TCO Orthopedic Urgent Care location near you.