How to decide between urgent orthopaedic care or emergency room
A sudden ache or pain after a weekend workout, playing with the grandchildren or reaching for that top shelf needs rapid attention. Should you visit an emergency department or seek urgent care?
Studies show that, for some conditions, choosing an urgent care clinic for orthopaedic care can result in quicker diagnosis and treatment.
“We’re seeing patients who are dealing with recent injuries or acute discomfort,” said Dr. Matthew Graves, chair of orthopaedic surgery at UMMC, about the adult urgent care clinic. “Our focus is on new problems that need fast, expert attention.”
The clinic is designed for urgent orthopaedic care and not for second opinions or longer-term orthopaedic ailments, he said.
Urgent care offers walk-in patients the convenience of having diagnostics including X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and ultrasound as well as treatments such as bracing, splinting, casting, injections and physical and occupational therapy, all in one location.
Patients are initially seen by a nurse practitioner, who can evaluate and treat most common orthopaedic issues. If a higher level of care is needed, both orthopaedic surgeons and primary care sports medicine specialists are available on-site and can seamlessly provide the patient with further evaluation.
The orthopaedic walk-in clinic team includes, front, from left, Dr. Spencer Montgomery and Dr. Matthew Graves; and back, Bailey Sprowles, nurse practitioner; Dr. JR Woodall; Dr. Mark Dodson; Dr. Derrick Burgess; Hollis Purviance, nurse practitioner; and Brianna Pendergrass, nurse practitioner.
“Our patients can access a range of orthopaedic care without additional travel,” Graves said. “The walk-in clinic allows for convenient, efficient, patient-centered care, especially for those in the Madison-Ridgeland area where the clinic is located.”
Some conditions do call for emergency department care, he said. These can include:
New numbness, weakness or tingling
A fracture with bone puncturing the skin
Fever, chills and malaise with new joint pain
Bleeding that isn’t controlled with pressure
Pediatric urgent orthopaedic care is also available at Colony Park South clinic and at the Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower at Children’s of Mississippi. On Friday nights, an injury clinic offering full sports medicine evaluation and on-site radiology services is open 9:30-11:30 p.m. at Colony Park South.
At the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Colony Park South location, an adult walk-in orthopaedic clinic on the first floor is available 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. No appointment or referral is needed.
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