For Patients
When non life-threatening acute injuries occur, urgent care clinics provide a cost effective and efficient alternative to the Emergency Room. At the Raleigh Orthopaedic Urgent Cares, we can provide treatments for a wide variety of acute injuries. The Raleigh Orthopaedic Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners are trained to handle serious- but not life-threatening – problems. In addition, the Raleigh Orthopaedic board certified orthopedic surgeons are always available for consultation to ensure patients receive the best quality orthopedic care. Staffed with orthopedic trained clinical assistants and x-ray technicians, our state of the art facility also includes on site x-rays and MRI.
We understand injuries can occur at any time. For your convenience, our two urgent cares provide extended hours on weekdays and Saturdays.
When to Visit an Urgent Care vs. Emergency Room vs. Physician’s Office
The following chart will help you determine the best course of treatment for your injury.
Injury / Condition |
Urgent Care |
Emergency Room |
Physician’s Office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor cut or wound |  |
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| Twisted ankle or foot | |
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| Possible broken bone | |
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| Minor dislocation | |
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| Sprained knee | |
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| Injured shoulder, elbow, wrist or hand due to a fall | |
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| Obvious deformity of the shoulder, elbow, knee or ankle | These injuries are best treated in the ER because you may need better pain control than what is available at the urgent care |
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| Chronic back or neck pain | A physician who knows your history can provide more available treatment |
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| Motor Vehicle Accident | if the injury is serious, the ER is most appropriate |
If the injury is minor, your physician would be most appropriate |
|
| Large blow to the head | These injuries are best treated in the ER where CT Scans are available |
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| Minor blow to the head | May be appropriate for an urgent care if the symptoms are mild; however, the urgent care provider may send you to the ER for more advanced imagining. |
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| Large cut or serious crush injury | These injuries may require more involved wound repair and pain control than what is available in an urgent care |
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| Work-related orthopedic injuries, such as: blunt trauma, minor cut, ankle or wrist sprain, etc. |
To avoid delay, please contact your supervisor or human resources department for appropriate authorization prior to visiting the urgent care for treatment |