Emergency Room Vs. Walk-In Clinic
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 | Walk-In Clinic | ER |
|---|---|---|
| New bone/joint/muscle injury | ||
| Joint sprain or muscle strain | ||
| Possible fracture | ||
| Swollen joint | ||
| Sports injury | ||
| Possible dislocation | ||
| Chronic back or joint pain | Schedule an appointment | |
| Work injury | Consult your supervisor | |
| Animal bite | ||
| Burn | ||
| Cuts and other wounds | ||
| Fracture with bone protrusion |
For more information on our QuickAccess clinic services at Carolina Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center, call 704-865-0077. If you are currently seeking initial or follow-up care for a sports-related injury, request an appointment online with one of our sports medicine specialists.