Urgent care centers treat many non-life-threatening common injuries. That said, it is vital to understand precisely when a visit to urgent care is necessary. Otherwise, you may not know whether it is best to treat an injury at home, visit urgent care, or go to the emergency room. This review discusses the six most common injuries that are treated at an urgent care center.
It is essential to know that any life-threatening injury requires prompt care at an emergency room. Urgent care centers are not well-equipped to treat life-threatening injuries properly. These include (but are not limited to) stab wounds, gunshots, severe open fractures, and severe head trauma. That said, here is more insight into the most common injuries treated by urgent care centers.
Minor to moderate cuts can be treated by an urgent care center. A cut or scrape could occur for several reasons, from a nasty fall to an accident in the kitchen. Urgent care providers can promptly diagnose the severity of the injury and minimize the initial discomfort. They also offer stitches and other services that may be necessary to help reduce the initial discomfort and help ensure a fast and smooth recovery. However, it is best to visit an emergency room if the cut is severe, such as an electric blade that cuts a finger deeply or a stab wound.
Bruises are common injuries treated at an urgent care center. They can occur due to getting hit by an object, such as a baseball during a game. While minor bruises likely do not require urgent care visits, severe bruises and deep bone bruises require treatment by a medical professional at an urgent care center. Severe bruises that may have caused internal damage, such as those that occur during a car accident, may require a visit to the emergency room.
Sprains and strains are common types of sports injuries. Sprains occur when a ligament stretches or tears, and muscle strains are injuries to a muscle or tendon. Sprains often occur in the ankle and elbow, and strains often occur in the back and bicep. It is important to visit an urgent care center for severe sprains and strains. Otherwise, the injury may take much longer to heal. Also, many fractures are mistaken as sprains or strains, so be sure to visit an urgent care center for a proper assessment and diagnosis.
Whiplash is a common auto accident injury. It occurs when the neck suddenly snaps back at a rapid speed. Unfortunately, after many car accidents, patients fail to realize that they have whiplash due to the amount of adrenaline that they experience. Once the adrenaline wears away, though, they are left with a significant amount of discomfort. For this reason, we recommend a visit to an urgent care center for an evaluation after an auto accident. Of course, there are other causes of whiplash, and it is always important to see a medical professional when possible whiplash has occurred.
A concussion can occur due to a sports injury, auto accident, nasty fall, physical altercation, or simply hitting the head while getting out of bed. Any event that causes a blow to the head could lead to a concussion. Specifically, it occurs when the brain strikes the skull, which is why it is categorized as a form of traumatic brain injury. Due to this, it is strongly encouraged to be properly evaluated and treated by a medical professional after a possible concussion. If the urgent care practitioner determines that the patient has a concussion, they may provide instructions to help prevent long-term damage.
Urgent care providers can treat minor fractures, especially if there is only a small break to a bone. In this case, the practitioner may stabilize the bone by placing a wrap and a splint on the affected area. They can also help minimize any discomfort by providing pain medication as necessary, along with helping the patient determine the appropriate next steps.
We encourage you to contact us right away if you have sustained any of the aforementioned injury types. We also accept walk-ins, so you can come in right away if your injury needs urgent attention. Feel free to call the center, as we would be happy to answer any of your questions or address any of your concerns.
Request an appointment here: https://peoplefirsturgentcaretn.com or call People First Urgent & Primary Care Germantown at (901) 257-3077 for an appointment in our Germantown office.
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