Orthopedic walk-in clinic or emergency room?

Choosing the right setting for care is an important part of recovering from an orthopedic injury. An orthopedic walk-in clinic is often an ideal choice for fractures, sprains, strains, and knee or hand injuries because patients can receive timely evaluation and treatment from providers who specialize in musculoskeletal care.

Injuries such as fractures, sprains, strains and falls often can wait to be treated until an orthopedic walk-in clinic is open by taking the right precautions: resting the injury; icing the injury to reduce swelling; compressing the injured area; and elevating the area prior to seeing a physician. While many people think of a fracture as an emergency, as long as the individual is seen by a physician within eight hours, waiting until an orthopedic walk-in clinic opens is safe. The exception is when a bone is sticking out of the skin. This is an emergency situation that requires immediate treatment in an ED and, likely, surgery.

Not only is the cost of physician evaluation and treatment lower in an orthopedic walk-in clinic, but so are services such as:

• Diagnostic imaging—from MRIs to X-rays and CT scans—available within the clinic
• Onsite casting, splinting, injections and ultrasound treatment

Individuals are treated by specialists who can assess the cause of orthopedic pain quickly and customize a treatment plan that helps individuals get back in the game. At Holston Medical Group, patients of our orthopedic walk-in clinics in Kingsport and Bristol also gain access to the region’s only physician-owned outpatient surgery center, which provides lower-cost, same-day surgical care to meet patients’ immediate orthopedic needs.

Many orthopedic conditions require equipment such as boots, braces, splints and crutches to aid in recovery. Because orthopedic walk-in clinics perform casting, bracing and splinting onsite, professionals in these clinics are ideally suited to determine the types of equipment needed and can provide the equipment immediately after diagnosis.

Scenarios like the ones described above are common among athletes and parents of athletes—but they aren’t limited to those who have a passion for fitness. As the parent of three children who are actively involved in sports, as a former competitive bodybuilder, and as someone whose family owns a fitness facility, I see a range of symptoms and injuries. Some simply require observation; others call for prompt treatment.

At HMG, our orthopedic walk-in clinics offer excellent treatment options for acute injuries and chronic pain. With access to a full range of diagnostic equipment, HMG’s orthopedic specialists provide immediate treatment for sprains, strains, breaks, sports medicine injuries and injuries resulting from overuse. Our team of therapists, surgeons and other providers offer a full range of follow-up services that orthopedic conditions often require.

If you need help determining the right option for care, my team and I are always available to discuss your needs.