How is a minor fracture treated?
A fracture, also known as a broken bone, is a common problem seen in our Urgent Care centers. When an injury, such as a fall, happens many people are worried about the possibility of a fracture. Let’s talk about how a fracture is treated and what you can expect in our Urgent Care centers if you have a fractured bone.
After an examination is performed, an x-ray will likely be done to see if the bone is broken or if it’s just a sprain or bone bruise. If there is a fracture, the next step is to utilize a splint to ensure the bone doesn’t move, which starts the healing process and eases the pain.
Types of splints for fractures
There are many types of splints depending on where the injury is:
- Handmade fiberglass splints, commonly for arms/wrists/ankles
- Pre-made splints, either aluminum or Velcro types, for arms/wrists/fingers/knees
- Inflatable ankle splints
- Walking boots or orthopedic shoes for foot fractures
If the pain is too much and you are unable to walk, we can also supply crutches.
Fracture pain management
Once splinting is done, the next step is to determine if any pain medication is needed. This can be over-the-counter or prescription. Generally, a good splint works so well to help with pain that patients don’t need anything further for pain management.
The last step is to arrange for follow-up care for the fracture once you leave our center. We can arrange a referral to the appropriate specialist within our expansive network, such as an orthopedist, who then will continue the care needed until your fracture is fully healed.
