Fracture Care

The Basics of Broken Bones

If you have recently suffered an injury to one of your extremities or joints, there is a possibility of a fracture. Symptoms of fracture include pain, limited mobility, pain with moving the affected area, and swelling. Oftentimes, it can be quite difficult to tell what is a fracture and what is a sprain without an x-ray.

What is the Treatment for a Bone Fracture?

There are several factors that go into this decision. Most fractures can be appropriately treated by immobilizing the joint or extremity for 4-6 weeks, pain medication, and resting the area. There are several factors that go into recognizing if a break will need surgery or not to correct it.

While reviewing an x-ray, your provider at Pinnacle Urgent Care will be looking to see if there is any displacement of the bones on either side of the fracture, if bone is at an angle, or if the fracture involves a joint line. It is always a good idea to have a follow up consultation with an orthopedic surgeon if you are diagnosed with a fracture at urgent care.

Should You go to Urgent Care or the ER for a Fracture?

Urgent care can assess any injury and determine if you need urgent or emergent care. If the bone is sticking out of the skin, you will need to go to the ER. If you have no sensation to the extremity past the injury spot or skin that is turning a grey or blue color (this could be the sign of a problem with blood supply), you should also go to the ER. Here is a list of the common fractures we can treat in an urgent care setting:

Wrist fractures and hand/ finger fractures
Elbow fractures
Collar bone fractures
Ankle fractures
Foot fractures
Rib fractures
Broken nose

When Should You Visit Urgent Care for an X-ray?

If you have suffered an injury and are experiencing pain with movement, inability to move it, or swelling, you should visit us for an onsite x-ray. Your provider will read your x-ray as well as send it off to a remote radiologist to read it. Then, we will come up with a treatment plan specific to your injury.