Emergency Room Vs. Orthopedic Urgent Care
Injuries are not scheduled and tend to occur when you least expect them. When you or your loved one suffers an injury, you want the best care available as soon as possible. In some cases, that means a trip to the emergency room. Other times, however, you can avoid a long wait and get an assessment and care from a specialist if you visit a musculoskeletal urgent care clinic.
When you need immediate attention for most acute bone, joint, and muscle injuries, like a fracture or a shoulder injury, our urgent care service will offer you the care you need—fast.
In the case of life-threatening injuries and other emergencies, such as open fractures, cuts with bleeding that won’t stop, burns, or head injuries, you will need to visit an emergency room immediately or call 911.
For a better idea of which service is necessary, refer to the listing below.
Injury/Condition | Orthopedic Associates' Injury Access Clinic |
A Bone, Joint, or Muscle Injury That Occurred Within the Past Few Days | ✓ |
Possible Sprained Ankle or Foot | ✓ |
Possible Broken Bone | ✓ |
Sprained Knee | ✓ |
Injury to Hand, Wrist, or Shoulder | ✓ |
Swollen Joint | ✓ |
Sports Injury | ✓ |
Animal Bites | Go to nearest Urgent Care or Emergency Room |
Burns | Go to nearest Urgent Care or Emergency Room |
Visible Bone/Multiple Fractures | Go to Emergency Room |
Open or Bleeding Wounds | Go to nearest Urgent Care or Emergency Room |
Head Injury/Concussion | Go to nearest Urgent Care or Emergency Room |
Cuts and Wounds | Go to nearest Urgent Care or Emergency Room |
Cold, Flu, Respiratory, or Stomach Issue | Go to nearest Urgent Care or Emergency Room |
Limited Rashes | Go to nearest Urgent Care or Emergency Room |
Back, Neck and Spine Injury | Go to nearest Urgent Care or Emergency Room |
Work-Related Injury | Please contact your supervisor for authorization. |
For more information on our Injury Access Clinic services at Orthopedic Associates, call (314) 569-0612. If you are currently seeking initial or follow-up care for a sports-related injury, schedule an appointment online with one of our specialty-trained specialists.