Have you or someone you know ever had a broken bone? The average person experiences two broken bones in their lifetime. In the adrenaline of the moment, the situation may feel chaotic, terrifying, and uncertain. You can relax knowing that, in most cases, sprains, strains, and broken bones don not require a trip to the emergency room. Orthopedic urgent care clinics, like Ortho OIC, can provide the expert care you need if you have a broken bone. Being seen for a broken bone at urgent care can save you a lot of stress.
Crack and fracture are medical terms that refer to a broken bone. A bone may be cracked, splintered, or completely broken into separate pieces. Broken bones are frequently the result of an outside force or trauma that the bone is not strong enough to handle. There are different categories of fractures, based on the severity of the break. A stable fracture occurs when the bone ends remain aligned. This is often the least severe type of fracture. Stress fractures are small cracks from repetitive strain. When diagnosed and treated early, stress fractures are also less severe and manageable.
Urgent care centers can typically treat stable fractures and closed fractures of smaller bones, like fingers, toes, wrists, and ankles. As long as the bone is not significantly displaced, surgery is usually not necessary. Stress fractures are also able to be diagnosed and treated at urgent care clinics. Specialized orthopedic urgent care clinics provide X-rays, splinting, casting, and pain management for these less complex breaks.
Intense pain is the most common and immediate sign of a bone fracture. The pain is often sharp, severe, and persistent. The pain may worsen when the broken bone is moved or pressure is applied. You may also notice swelling as an early sign of a bone fracture. If you feel signs of a bone fracture, try to stabilize and ice the area. This will help control pain and swelling until you arrive at an urgent care clinic.
Seeking medical attention for a broken bone is essential and urgent. First, evaluate the severity of the situation. If there was a traumatic fall, a serious accident, or other injuries are suspected, you should immediately seek emergency medical attention. The most severe bone breaks include open, or compound, fractures and comminuted fractures. These injuries involve the bone piercing the skin or the bone shattering. These types of injuries often require surgery and should be seen at an emergency room for immediate attention. However, common injuries from minor accidents or falls or common sports injuries can most likely be treated at an urgent care clinic.
When you seek treatment for broken bones at urgent care, the most common way to evaluate a fracture is with x-rays. X-rays provide a doctor with a clear image of the bone, the location of the fracture, and the severity of the broken bone. Being evaluated for broken bones at urgent care like Ortho OIC provides precision care by orthopedic specialists that will determine how to set and stabilize your broken bone.
If you experience a broken bone requiring urgent care, Ortho OIC accepts walk-in patients serving Arlington, Tysons Corner, Washington D.C., and the surrounding areas. OrthoOIC is a recognized leader in Virginia orthopedic urgent care. Recently named “Best of 2024 Urgent Care by Business Rate”, OrthoOIC offers a wide range of specialized urgent care services. When it comes to focusing on orthopedic health in Virginia, you can trust OrthoOIC. We offer extended hours, appointments and walk-in orthopedic services. Our flexible schedules and weekend hours help meet the convenience of any busy schedule or unexpected injury.