Can I Walk In For Same-Day Orthopedic Care?

Yes, you can visit Total Ortho Express for same-day access to orthopedic care. Our specialists treat sprains, strains, fractures, dislocations, joint pain, and sports injuries that require immediate care. We also offer on-site X-rays to diagnose your injury without long waits at the emergency room.

For faster access to expert care, our orthopedic specialists can review your imaging results and recommend treatment during the same visit. Based on your injury, our team may provide a brace, splint, or other urgent orthopedic care to protect the affected area. Call 855-321-6784 or walk into our urgent care center in Long Island for prompt care without the usual hospital delays.

Why Should You Choose Total Ortho Express For An Urgent Injury?

Total Ortho Express gives you same-day access to specialized care for urgent bone, joint, and muscle injuries without long waits at the emergency room. You can walk in for urgent orthopedic care without needing a routine orthopedic appointment. This direct access allows our specialists to diagnose your injury and recommend treatment during the same visit.

In addition, Total Ortho Express offers the following benefits that give you direct access to immediate orthopedic care in one visit:

• No Appointments or Referrals: You can walk in when an urgent injury needs prompt evaluation.
• Specialized Experts: Our specialists provide expert care for musculoskeletal and sports injuries.
• On-Site Services: Our team provides X-rays, casting, splints, and braces in a single visit.
• Prompt Injury Evaluation: You can receive orthopedic care within 48 hours of an injury.
• Lower Costs: Urgent orthopedic visits often cost less than ER care for non-life-threatening injuries.

In fact, a study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma compared orthopedic urgent care with hospital emergency departments. Patients waited an average of 17 minutes to see a provider at urgent care, compared with 45 minutes in the hospital ER. The total visit time at urgent care was 43 minutes, compared with 156 minutes in the ER. The study also reported an average charge of $461 for urgent care compared with $8,150 for an emergency department visit.

Do You Need An Appointment For Orthopedic Urgent Care?

No, you do not need an appointment for urgent orthopedic care at Total Ortho Express. You can walk in during open hours for an urgent bone, joint, or muscle injury without a referral. Our specialists can evaluate your injury and provide immediate care based on your needs.

Unlike a scheduled orthopedic visit, walk-in care gives you same-day access when an injury needs prompt attention. A traditional appointment works better for routine follow-ups, ongoing orthopedic conditions, or planned consultations with a specific specialist. However, you can call 855-321-6784 ahead to confirm availability, office hours, or location details before your visit.

What Injuries Can Orthopedic Urgent Care Treat?

Orthopedic urgent care often treats sprains and strains, fractures, and dislocations that need prompt medical attention. These clinics also treat sudden pain or injuries affecting bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. Sports injuries, such as suspected ligament or meniscus tears, can also receive prompt orthopedic evaluation.

In addition, orthopedic urgent care can treat several other musculoskeletal problems, such as:

1. Joint And Tendon Pain

Sudden joint or tendon pain often develops after overuse, repetitive motion, or a minor injury. Common orthopedic conditions such as rotator cuff strains, tennis elbow, and tendinitis can cause soreness, stiffness, or reduced movement. In some cases, the affected joint may also become swollen and tender to the touch. In such cases, orthopedic urgent care can assess these symptoms and determine appropriate care based on the affected tissue.

2. Back And Neck Pain

You may develop sudden back or neck pain after a minor fall, awkward twist, or heavy lift. These events can strain muscles and cause stiffness that limits normal movement. Minor spine injuries can also cause localized pain around the affected area, such as:

• Muscle Strains: Overstretched muscle fibers can cause soreness, stiffness, and spasms.
• Ligament Sprains: Stretched or torn ligaments can cause pain and reduced support.
• Facet Joint Sprains: Sudden force can irritate the small joints that support spinal motion.
• Whiplash: Sudden neck movement can strain muscles and ligaments.

Without proper treatment, some injuries can worsen and restrict movement. For this reason, prompt evaluation can identify the injury and guide appropriate care. In support of this approach, a retrospective study published in Emergency Radiology evaluated 143 patients who received cervical spine X-rays at urgent care centers after low-acuity trauma.

Only one patient needed an emergency department referral within 24 hours. Within seven days, only two patients required an emergency department referral. The researchers also estimated that urgent care evaluation could save about $437,928 per year compared with emergency department visits.

3. Hand And Wrist Injuries

Hand and wrist injuries often occur after a fall, sports accident, or direct impact. These injuries can cause sprains, minor wrist fractures, tendon damage, or jammed fingers. As the injury progresses, you may notice pain, bruising, swelling, or reduced grip strength. In such cases, orthopedic urgent care can assess the injured area and provide treatment based on the type and extent of damage.

Can You Walk In For A Suspected Broken Bone?

Yes, you can visit orthopedic urgent care for a suspected minor fracture when the injury does not require emergency treatment. Small fractures of the fingers, toes, wrists, or ankles often qualify for walk-in evaluation when the skin remains intact. You can also seek immediate orthopedic care if you have manageable swelling, bruising, or pain.

In these cases, a prompt assessment can identify the damage and guide the right treatment for your injury. In fact, a retrospective PubMed study compared fracture care at an immediate orthopedic care center with that in a hospital emergency room. Researchers evaluated 610 patients, with 311 treated at immediate orthopedic care and 299 in the ER.

The average visit to orthopedic care took 1.43 hours, compared with 6.1 hours in the ER. Researchers also estimated that directing low-acuity fractures to orthopedic care could have saved $62,150 in healthcare costs over the six-month study period.

Can You Get Same-Day Orthopedic Care For A Sports Injury?

Yes, Total Ortho Express provides same-day access for acute sports injuries without an appointment or referral. Our specialists treat ankle sprains, knee injuries, muscle strains, tendon problems, and suspected fractures that need prompt evaluation. On-site digital X-rays also allow our team to assess the extent of the injury before you return to physical activity.

Based on your injury, our specialists can recommend early treatment to reduce pain and protect the affected area. They may also discuss options for treating sports injuries without surgery when conservative care can support recovery. This early care can protect the injured tissue and support a safe return to your normal activities.

What Happens During A Walk-In Orthopedic Visit?

During a walk-in orthopedic visit, you first complete a brief check-in and describe your injury, symptoms, and medical history. The staff reviews these details before an orthopedic specialist examines the injured body part. During the exam, the specialist checks movement, strength, swelling, tenderness, and joint stability to understand the extent of the injury.

After the exam, your specialist may order an on-site X-ray or other diagnostic test to assess possible fractures or structural damage. These results provide a clearer view of bones and injured joints and guide the treatment. Based on the findings, you may receive a cast, splint, brace, crutches, medication, or another form of immediate care.

Before you go home, the orthopedic team explains your diagnosis and gives you clear instructions for recovery. If your injury needs further care, they may arrange rehabilitation or schedule an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon. This step connects your initial walk-in treatment with the follow-up care your injury requires.

Can You Get X-Rays At Orthopedic Urgent Care?

Yes, Total Ortho Express offers on-site digital X-rays during your orthopedic urgent care visit. Our specialists use X-rays to identify fractures, dislocations, bone abnormalities, and joint alignment problems. Since imaging is available on-site, our team can review the results and begin appropriate treatment during the same visit.

However, X-rays do not provide a detailed view of every type of orthopedic injury. If your symptoms suggest damage to ligaments, tendons, muscles, or cartilage, our specialists may order the following imaging tests:

• MRI: Provides detailed images of ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and muscles.
• Ultrasound: Examines tendons, muscles, and other soft tissues around the injured area.

What Treatment Can You Receive During A Walk-In Visit?

Walk-in orthopedic care can provide casting, splinting, and bracing to protect fractures, sprains, and ligament injuries. For joint injuries, an orthopedic specialist may realign certain fractures to restore proper joint position. Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may also include NSAIDs, topical medications, muscle relaxants, or activity modifications to control pain and protect the injured area. However, the right option depends on the severity of the injury, your age, activity level, and the affected body part.

Here is what these treatments can offer based on your injury and care needs:

1. Casting And Splinting

A cast or splint can protect a fracture or sprain from excess movement during early recovery. A splint provides firm support while allowing space for swelling after a recent injury. In contrast, a cast offers stronger support when a fracture needs greater protection. Your specialist selects the right option based on the injury location and severity.

2. Fracture Realignment And Dislocation Care

In some cases, a displaced fracture or dislocated joint needs prompt treatment. For a displaced fracture, the specialist restores the broken bone to proper alignment. For a dislocation, the specialist returns the joint to its normal position. Afterward, a splint, cast, or brace can protect the affected area during recovery.

3. Joint Injections And Medication

For certain orthopedic conditions, a specialist may recommend injections or medication to reduce pain and inflammation. Cortisone injections can ease inflammation around an irritated joint. In fact, a prospective study published in Sports Health evaluated pain relief after musculoskeletal corticosteroid injections. Among patients who experienced relief, 60.4% reported improvement within three days.

By one week, more than 93.7% had obtained pain relief. In addition, medications such as NSAIDs, topical pain relievers, or muscle relaxants can also control symptoms. Based on your condition, other injection options may support joint care, such as:

• PRP Injections: Use concentrated platelets from your blood to support tissue repair.
• Hyaluronic Acid Injections: Add lubrication to the joint and reduce friction.
• Local Anesthetic Injections: Numb the affected area for short-term pain relief.

4. Wound Care And Minor Procedures

Some walk-in visits may require stitches or wound closure for minor cuts near the injured area. In these cases, a clinician can clean the wound and close it to protect the damaged tissue. If a small foreign object becomes trapped under the skin, the clinician may also remove it when safe to do so. However, deep wounds or injuries that affect nerves or blood vessels require emergency medical care.

What If Your Injury Needs An Orthopedic Specialist?

If your injury needs advanced care, the Total Ortho Express team can connect you directly with an orthopedic specialist at Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Complex fractures, ligament tears, tendon injuries, or joint damage may need a specialist’s evaluation. This direct referral gives you access to the right expertise without the need to search for another orthopedic provider.

Based on the location and type of your injury, you may receive further care from one of the following TOSM specialists:

1. Dr. Eric Lepkowsky (Hip & Knee Specialist)

If your hip or knee injury needs advanced care, Dr. Eric Lepkowsky can provide further orthopedic evaluation. He specializes in hip and knee conditions, with advanced training in adult joint reconstruction. His expertise covers joint injuries, arthritis, fractures, and complex hip or knee problems. Based on your condition, he can recommend nonsurgical care or advanced surgical treatment.

2. Dr. Karèn Avanesov (Orthopedic Spine Surgeon)

For a complex back or neck injury, our spine surgeon, Dr. Karèn Avanesov, can provide specialized orthopedic care. He serves as the Director of Orthopedic Spine Surgery at TOSM. His expertise focuses on complex spinal reconstruction, scoliosis, and minimally invasive spinal surgery. He also treats spinal fractures, disc disorders, and other complex spine conditions with surgical and nonsurgical options.

3. Dr. Charles Ruotolo (Shoulder & Sports Medicine Specialist)

Our surgeon, Dr. Charles Ruotolo, provides specialized shoulder and sports medicine care across Long Island. He completed fellowship training in sports medicine and shoulder surgery. As an experienced orthopedic surgeon on Long Island, he treats rotator cuff tears, labral injuries, shoulder instability, and sports injuries. He also offers advanced treatment when conservative care does not provide enough relief.

4. Dr. Elizabeth Morrison (Hand & Wrist Surgeon)

When a hand or wrist injury needs specialized care, Dr. Elizabeth Morrison can provide further evaluation and treatment. As Director of Orthopedic Hand Surgery, she specializes in hand and upper-extremity conditions, including complex nerve and tendon injuries. She is also recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor. Moreover, her professional achievements earned her the Exceptional Women in Medicine distinction in 2026.

5. Dr. Amos Z. Dai (Foot & Ankle Surgeon)

For complex foot or ankle problems, Dr. Amos Z. Dai provides both surgical and nonsurgical orthopedic care. He completed fellowship training at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital. His expertise covers ankle sprains, fractures, Achilles tendon injuries, cartilage damage, and foot deformities. Depending on the condition, he also performs advanced procedures such as:

• Ankle Arthroscopy
• Total Ankle Replacement
• Reconstructive Foot And Ankle Surgery

When Should You Choose Orthopedic Urgent Care Over ER?

You should visit our orthopedic urgent care for stable bone, joint, or muscle injuries that need prompt attention. Sprains, strains, closed fractures, minor dislocations, and sports injuries can often receive same-day care. You should also seek care for swelling, reduced movement, or difficulty bearing weight after an injury.

Rather than waiting for a routine doctor’s appointment, walk-in patients can receive a direct orthopedic evaluation. This option gives you direct access to specialists who focus on bone, joint, and muscle injuries. On-site X-rays can also reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment.

Important Note: Seek emergency care immediately for uncontrolled bleeding, an open fracture, loss of consciousness, or a serious head injury.

Is Orthopedic Urgent Care Better Than A General Clinic?

Orthopedic urgent care often provides more focused care for bone, joint, muscle, ligament, and tendon injuries than a general clinic. Orthopedic specialists focus on musculoskeletal conditions and can assess injuries that need prompt attention. On-site imaging also allows the care team to evaluate fractures or joint damage without a separate imaging visit. If further care is necessary, you can connect directly with an orthopedic specialist for continued treatment.

Beyond specialized evaluation, orthopedic urgent care offers several practical benefits during your visit:

• On-Site Treatment: Casting, splinting, bracing, and other orthopedic support may be available during the same visit.
• Specialized Equipment: Orthopedic clinics use equipment designed specifically for musculoskeletal injuries.
• Less Illness Exposure: You avoid a general waiting room with people who may have colds, flu, or other contagious illnesses.

Do You Need A Referral for Same-Day Orthopedic Care?

No, our orthopedic urgent care centers do not require a primary care referral for same-day treatment. You can walk in for urgent musculoskeletal concerns without waiting for traditional same-day appointments. Our staff can evaluate fractures, sprains, dislocations, joint pain, and other appropriate orthopedic injuries. However, your insurance plan may have separate referral or coverage requirements. For this reason, contact your insurance provider before your visit to confirm specific coverage details.

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What Should You Bring To A Walk-In Orthopedic Visit?

You should bring a photo ID, insurance card, current medication list, and any medical records related to your injury. If available, bring previous X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, or surgical notes so the orthopedic team can review your prior care. You should also know the names and doses of your medications so the staff has accurate information during your visit.

Beyond medical documents, the following items can also support a more thorough examination of your injury:

• Loose Clothing: Wear loose clothing that allows easy access to the injured area.
• Supportive Footwear: Bring everyday shoes for a foot, ankle, or leg injury.
• Braces or Orthotics: If you use a brace, splint, or shoe insert, bring it for review.

Visit Total Ortho Express For Same-Day Evaluation And Treatment Of Your Orthopedic Injury!

If you need immediate orthopedic care, waiting days for treatment can add stress while pain and limited movement disrupt your routine. You may also worry that the injury could worsen while you wait for a routine appointment. As the discomfort continues, simple tasks such as walking, working, or using the injured area can become more difficult.

At Total Ortho Express, our doctors evaluate your injury and provide same-day treatment based on your needs. We also offer on-site imaging and direct access to orthopedic specialists if you need further care. We accept most major insurance plans to give you convenient access to orthopedic treatment. Call 855-321-6784 or visit our urgent care center in Massapequa, Syosset, Deer Park, or East Meadow for prompt orthopedic care.

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