When to Go to the ER or Orthopaedic Urgent Care

The impact of sudden orthopaedic injuries usually comes without warning, catching most individuals off-guard when they feel bone, muscle, or joint damage. In many cases, the individual is unaware of how to properly care for the trauma, especially when the sudden impairment disrupts the ability to think clearly and assess the circumstances. Below, our team of Dallas-Fort Worth orthopaedic surgeons provide guidance for these situations, so individuals may be more likely to determine if the injury should be treated at an emergency room or an orthopaedic urgent care facility. 

Most patients experiencing injuries to bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves (the musculoskeletal system) can typically be diagnosed and treated at an orthopaedic urgent care. These conditions can include:

• Broken bones
• Dislocated joints
• Ankle, wrist, and hand sprains 
• Back, neck, and spine pain 
• Swollen or painful joints
• Shoulder pain or a damaged rotator cuff
• Knee sprains or tears in the tissue
• Strained or torn ligaments
• Tendon injuries
• Musculoskeletal sports-related injuries

Medical attention at these types of facilities may actually save the patient time and money. Emergency rooms generally have longer wait times to be seen by a doctor, may incur higher out-of-pocket costs, and may result in referrals to seek treatment from an orthopaedic specialist. Alternatively, our doctors strongly recommend having a basic understanding as to when individuals should be taken to the emergency room instead. Musculoskeletal injuries that are accompanied by any of the following symptoms should be directed to the ER:

• Fainting or dizziness
• Deep lacerations 
• Excessive bleeding or clotting issues
• Seizures
• Chest pain
• Wheezing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
• Septic arthritis (infection within a joint)

Our doctors emphasize that, in any case, if someone experiences a life-threatening emergency (or a severe orthopaedic injury after business hours), they should call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.

Lastly, our surgeons share that individuals pursuing orthopaedic urgent care should do their best to ensure the facility has highly skilled and experienced physicians with proper orthopaedic training and certification. They note that a practice such as All-Star Orthopaedics offers same-day appointments, onsite x-rays, and specialized resources with board-certified orthopaedic surgeons at our orthopaedic urgent care facility for those needing immediate medical attention. 

If you have additional questions about orthopaedic care, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.