You hear a snap. Your arm, wrist, ankle or finger is throbbing. You’re pretty sure it’s broken. Now what?
One of the first questions people ask is: Do I need to go to the emergency room or can I go to urgent care?
The right answer depends on a few important things: what kind of break it is, your symptoms and how serious the injury looks. Choosing the right option can save you hours of waiting and a lot of money. We spoke with Benjamin Rayhorn, a physician assistant at Banner Urgent Care, to learn more.
What’s the difference between urgent care and ER?
Before we get into broken bones specifically, it’s helpful to understand how urgent care and the ER are different.
Urgent care centers
Urgent care clinics are walk-in clinics that treat injuries and illnesses that need attention soon but aren’t life-threatening.
“Urgent care centers are usually quicker than ERs, cost less and can treat many common health problems,” Rayhorn said. “Most urgent care centers also have X-ray machines on site, which helps them diagnose fractures more easily.”
Benefits of urgent care:
- Good option for minor fractures, sprains and sports injuries
- Lower cost
- Shorter wait times
Emergency departments
Emergency rooms (ERs) are designed to treat the most serious and life-threatening health problems. They have surgeons, specialists and advanced tools like CT scans and MRIs. Because of this, ERs are busier and cost more. Patients often wait for hours before they are seen.
Benefits of the emergency department:
- Best for severe, complex or high-risk injuries
- Offers full hospital resources and specialists
Can urgent care treat broken bones?
“Many fractures can be initially checked at urgent care, especially when the injury is isolated, the patient is stable and there are no signs of poor blood flow or serious deformity,” Rayhorn said.
Go to urgent care if:
- The bone is not visibly sticking out of the skin
- The pain is significant but manageable
- You can still move to get yourself to the clinic
- There is no numbness or loss of feeling in the injured area
- Swelling is moderate, not extreme
- You did not lose consciousness or hit your head
- There are no other injuries involved
Depending on your injury, an urgent care provider may:
- Order X-rays
- Apply a splint or brace
- Provide crutches or a sling
- Recommend pain management strategies
- Give instructions for caring for the injury at home
- Refer you to an orthopedic specialist
When you should go to the ER
Some fractures are emergencies. In these cases, going straight to the ER is not just a good idea; it could also save your life or prevent permanent damage.
Seek emergency care immediately if:
- The bone is sticking out of the skin (an open or compound fracture)
- There is heavy or uncontrolled bleeding
- The injured limb is badly deformed: bent, twisted or much shorter than the other side
- You feel numbness or tingling in the injured area or beyond
- The injury involves the head, neck, back or spine
- You suspect a hip fracture, especially in older adults
- The person is in shock: confused, pale, breathing fast or faint
- The injury happened during a car accident, a fall from a height or any major trauma
Fractures that almost always need the ER:
- Femur (thigh bone) fractures: The femur is the biggest bone in the body; a break can lead to serious internal bleeding
- Pelvic fractures
- Hip fractures, common among older adults
- Head and neck injuries
- Spine injuries
- Skull fractures
Also, you should seek emergency care if you have chest or stomach pain after an injury, lose consciousness, experience uncontrolled bleeding or have multiple injuries after a serious accident.
What happens in the ER?
At the ER, care may include:
- Full trauma evaluation
- Vital signs and pain assessment
- X-rays, CT scan or other imaging
- IV pain control, if needed
- Treatment for bleeding or open wounds
- Reduction, or realignment, when appropriate
- Splinting, casting or temporary stabilization
- Antibiotics or a tetanus shot for open wounds, when needed
- Orthopedic consultation
- Surgery or hospital admission, if necessary
What to do before getting medical care
If you think you might have broken a bone, a few simple steps can protect the injury until you see a health care specialist:
- Rest the injured area: Stop what you were doing and avoid moving it.
- Apply ice: Put a cold pack wrapped in a towel on the area for 15 to 20 minutes. Ice can help lessen pain and swelling.
- Keep the area still: Use a splint or sling if you have one and try not to move it unnecessarily.
- Remove jewelry: Rings, watches and bracelets might become difficult to remove as swelling develops.
- Take pain medicine: Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen might help if they are safe for you.
What not to do before getting medical care
There are also several things you should avoid if you suspect a broken bone.
Do not:
- Try to straighten the bone
- Push or “pop” a bone back into place
- Continue playing sports
- Walk on a limb that might be broken
- Use heat right after the injury
- Drive yourself if you have severe pain, feel dizzy or can't travel safely
- Eat or drink if you might need surgery
[Also read: How to Prevent and Recognize Stress Fractures.]
What happens after your visit?
Whether you go to urgent care or the ER, your treatment for a broken bone usually isn’t finished when you leave. Most fractures need follow-up care from an orthopedic specialist. Depending on the break, you might need a cast, a walking boot, physical therapy and/or surgery.
Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions. Even if a fracture looks minor on the first X-ray, it can become more serious if it’s not checked and treated properly.
Bottom line
If you think you might have a broken bone, go to urgent care first. Many simple fractures can be checked with X-rays and treated with splints or braces. You may then be referred to an orthopedic specialist. Find a Banner Health specialist near you.
Emergency care is recommended for open fractures, severe deformities, numbness, circulation issues, heavy bleeding, major injuries or injuries to the hip, pelvis, upper leg, neck or spine.
If you're unsure, watch for warning signs. If the injury seems serious or you have symptoms like nerve or blood flow problems, seek emergency care immediately.
Frequently asked questions about urgent care vs. ER for broken bones
Should I go to urgent care or the ER for a broken bone?
Visit urgent care for minor or stable suspected fractures that don't have severe deformity, open wounds, numbness, heavy bleeding or circulation issues. Go to the ER for serious or complex injuries.
Can urgent care treat broken bones?
Yes. Many urgent care centers can check for possible breaks, order X-rays, provide splints or braces and refer you to an orthopedic specialist if needed.
Can urgent care do X-rays?
Many urgent care centers provide on-site X-rays but services may vary by location. Check with the center before you go if you're unsure.
What broken bone injuries require the ER?
Go to the emergency room if you have open fractures, severe deformity, intense pain, numbness, heavy bleeding, cold or pale skin or serious injuries to the head, neck, back, hip, pelvis or upper leg.
Is urgent care cheaper than the ER for a broken bone?
In many cases, urgent care costs less than the ER for injuries that are serious but not emergencies. Serious or high-risk injuries still require emergency care.
What if I cannot tell if it is a sprain or a fracture?
Sprains and fractures can look alike. Urgent care can usually check stable injuries. Go to the ER if the pain is severe or if there are signs of deformity, numbness, circulation problems or serious injury.
Should I move someone with a broken bone?
Only move someone with a serious injury if they are in immediate danger. Call 911 if they cannot be moved safely or might have a head, neck, back, hip, pelvis or upper leg injury.
Related articles
- Does My Child Have a Broken Bone?
- Tips to Prevent Broken Bones in Children
- Avoiding Strains and Sprains
