Orthopedic Urgent Care Addresses Bone, Muscle and Joint Problems
It’s Saturday morning and you and your friends are finally window shopping downtown after a busy workweek. The fun is interrupted by a painful misstep off the curb that rolls your ankle. After a few hops and limps, you know it’s a good idea to get it checked by an expert.
Avera Orthopedics walk-in urgent care clinic is housed in the Avera Human Performance Center, located at the Avera on Louise Health Campus in Sioux Falls. The clinic accepts walk-in patients Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Not only are we available during the day, but also after hours and on weekends for your convenience,” said Ryan Slaba, PA-C, an Avera Orthopedic specialist who sees patients at the walk-in clinic.
An Urgent Care Near You for Orthopedic Injuries
The types of conditions treated mark the difference between urgent care and orthopedic urgent care. Regular walk-in urgent care addresses cold and flu symptoms, seasonal allergies, minor cuts and burns, animal bites and more.
Walk-in orthopedic urgent care is specialized toward injuries and pain related to the bone, muscle or joint.
“It’s those orthopedic injuries you weren’t planning on. Broken bones, sprains, rolled ankles, torn biceps and ACL tears,” said Slaba. “We also see you for long-lasting pain that isn’t managed well, such as the pain that comes from arthritis.”
Urgent Care and Emergent Care
Walk-in care will most likely be the first step in ongoing care. After seeing Slaba or another one of his team members for casting, splinting, bandaging and pain management, these conditions require follow-up care and oftentimes therapy.
However, there are times when the Emergency Department is the best choice. If a brutal football tackle causes a broken arm or leg — and the bone is protruding from the skin — you’ll want to get to the ER; you’ll be seeing a surgeon shortly.
Slaba has seen concerned patients rush into orthopedic urgent care clinic with chest pain. While they did the right thing of seeking help immediately, an Emergency Department is more appropriate.
“In those situations, I call an ambulance,” said Slaba. “A lot of people try walk-in urgent care before the ER because they are trying to avoid extra expenses.”
Someone should drive you to the Emergency Department if you have chest pain, possible heart attack or stroke, uncontrolled bleeding, difficulty breathing or other severe symptoms.
Walk In or Call Ahead
While Avera Orthopedics urgent care is a walk-in clinic, feel free to call ahead if you’re concerned about wait times. Or, if you’re from out of town and want to schedule a routine pain-managing cortisol injection, it’s OK to schedule an appointment at 605-504-1090.
Visit Avera Orthopedics online to learn more about Sioux Falls’ orthopedic walk-in clinic.
