Does Urgent Care Do X-Rays for Broken Bones?
Yes, at Total Ortho Express, you can get X-rays for broken bones. Our urgent care clinic offers immediate diagnosis for suspected fractures, joint pain, or dislocated joints. We also treat injuries caused by falls, accidents, or sports activities. Unlike a hospital or imaging center, our urgent care center provides a cost-effective and accessible alternative to the emergency room.
After the X-ray, our board-certified urgent care team reviews your results and starts treatment right away. We treat fractures, soft tissue injuries, and other bone-related conditions without the wait. Whether you need an X-ray, follow-up care, or a referral to an orthopedic specialist, we’re here to help. Visit us now and get fast, expert care when you need it most.
Can You Get an X-Ray for a Broken Bone at Urgent Care?
Yes, at our urgent care center, we offer X-ray services to confirm your bone fracture and determine its severity. You’ll get the scan on-site during your urgent care visit without needing an outside imaging center. We focus on the exact area causing pain to check where your bone is damaged. This helps us determine if your fracture is stable, displaced, or affecting nearby joints.
We also check for injuries that can feel like fractures, such as severe bruising, tendon damage, or joint inflammation. In some cases, the X-ray scan can also reveal more serious and life-threatening issues. For example, according to the NIBIB, X-rays can detect conditions like bone infections, bone cancer, or blocked blood vessels. By confirming what’s causing your pain, we can choose the proper treatment and provide you with immediate attention.
What Are the Benefits of Getting an X-Ray for Broken Bones?
An X-ray helps detect bone fractures and identify the source of stiffness, soreness, or unexplained pain. Not every fracture causes swelling or visible changes; you might only feel discomfort when moving. That’s why these scans pinpoint the exact location and type of fracture. They can also reveal underlying conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or bone infections, allowing you to get the right diagnosis and treatment without any delay.
According to Nidirect, an untreated fracture can lead to serious complications like infection or permanent deformity. Additionally, even a minor fracture can lead to severe issues such as:
- Improper healing if the bone shifts out of alignment
- Chronic joint pain, stiffness, or early arthritis
- Loss of strength or limited range of motion
- Slower bone healing and a longer recovery period
- Higher chances of needing surgery
To avoid this, Total Ortho Express offers fast, on-site X-rays and same-day treatment all in one visit. You don’t need to wait, travel somewhere else, or risk complications from untreated fractures. Our board-certified team gives you an accurate diagnosis, explains your injury, and starts treatment right away.
What Should You Expect When Getting an X-ray at Total Ortho Express?
When you visit Total Ortho Express, we begin by asking about your symptoms, how the injury happened, and which part of the body is affected. Whether you’re dealing with joint pain, swelling, or a possible fracture, we perform a quick physical exam. From there, one of our board-certified urgent care providers decides if an X-ray is needed to confirm a fracture. If an X-ray is required, a trained technician guides you into position and takes two or more digital images of the injured area using our on-site X-ray machine.
According to the NHS, the X-ray can take only a few minutes. Moreover, it uses minimal radiation and doesn’t need any special preparation. Throughout the process, we explain each step so you feel comfortable and informed. Once we capture the images, we send them to our doctor for review. Our doctor will meet you immediately to review the X-ray results and discuss what they show. We point out any fractures, soft tissue injuries, or hidden issues like hairline cracks or joint misalignments.
If you need a splint, brace, or other treatment, we will start it during that same visit. Then, we design a pain management plan using NSAIDs, ice/heat, and home remedies to speed up your healing. After that, we provide activity guidelines like using crutches or limiting weight-bearing to protect your healing bone. You leave with portal access to your scans and instructions and full confidence in your healing journey.
What Are Common Bone Fractures Treated at Urgent Care?
At Total Ortho Express, we treat bone fractures in the wrist, ankle, foot, fingers, hand, ribs, forearm, and collarbone. These injuries are usually stable and don’t require surgery, which means we can handle them fully in our clinic. Once your X-ray confirms the fracture, we provide immediate care based on the location and severity of the injury.
Here’s how we treat some of the most common fractures:
- Wrist fractures: Our doctors apply a custom-molded splint or short arm cast based on the fracture’s location. We guide you on hand positioning, wrist support, and when to switch from a splint to a cast if needed.
- Ankle fractures: Our specialists stabilize your ankle with a rugged walking boot or air stirrup brace. Plus, you get step-by-step instructions on weight-bearing restrictions, swelling control, and crutch use.
- Foot fractures: Our healthcare providers use fracture shoes, post-op boots, or padded supports depending on which bone is injured. We advise you on pressure limits and help prevent strain during walking or standing.
- Finger and hand fractures: Our team uses aluminum or foam splints or molded supports based on joint involvement. You also get movement guidelines to avoid stiffness and promote healing.
- Rib fractures: We focus on pain relief using medication and ice packs. We teach deep breathing and coughing exercises to prevent pneumonia, and give tips for sleeping positions that reduce pain.
- Forearm fractures: Our doctors immobilize your arm with a long arm splint or cast and explain which daily tasks to limit. We also set up your follow-up X-ray services to monitor your healing progress.
Can Urgent Care X-Rays Be Used for Specialist Referrals?
Yes, the X-rays from Total Ortho Express can be used for specialist referrals. We use the same high-quality imaging as hospitals, so you don’t need a second scan. If your injury needs follow-up care, we refer you directly to our orthopedic surgeons at Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.
You may need a referral if your X-ray shows:
- Displaced or unstable fractures
- Fractures that affect a joint or a growth plate in children (where bones are still developing)
- Fractures that may need surgical hardware (plates, screws, or rods)
- Spinal fractures or visible disc injury
- Herniated Disc
- Ligament or cartilage damage
Once referred, our orthopedic team reviews your X-rays, confirms the injury, and explains what treatment you need. If surgical intervention is the best option, they will schedule it without delay. If you don’t need surgery, they’ll guide you with bracing, rest, activity limits, or follow-up imaging. You stay under one coordinated team with a clear, structured plan and no unnecessary delays.
How Long Does It Take to Get Results from an X-Ray at Urgent Care?
At our urgent care center, X-ray results are usually ready within 5 to 10 minutes. Because we scan on-site, our provider can access and review the scans during the same visit. You won’t need outside reports, extra appointments, or delays before moving forward with treatment decisions. If you need a complete report for follow-up or documentation, we will prepare it within a few hours. This full report includes the X-ray images, a summary of findings, the provider’s interpretation, and the treatment plan.
Get Fast, Reliable X-Rays For Broken Bones at Total Ortho Express!
Undiagnosed fractures and joint injuries can lead to serious, long-term complications. Without proper imaging, you may delay healing, worsen the injury, or overlook serious conditions like infections, joint damage, or unstable fractures. If left untreated, they can heal incorrectly, limit movement, and increase the risk of needing surgery. That’s why an accurate diagnosis is essential to prevent lasting damage and unnecessary complications.
At Total Ortho Express, we provide fast, on-site X-rays and expert orthopedic care during the same visit. Our board-certified team diagnoses the injury, explains your results, and starts treatment right away. Whether it’s a splint, brace, or referral to our orthopedic surgeons, you’ll get a clear treatment plan without delays. Call us at 855-321-6784 or visit our urgent care center closest to you in Syosset, Massapequa, Deer Park, or East Meadow for immediate diagnosis and treatment.
FAQs
Are X-Rays at Urgent Care Covered by Insurance?
Yes, most insurance plans cover X-rays done at urgent care centers. Coverage depends on your provider and specific policy terms. During your urgent care visit, we verify your insurance and inform you about any out-of-pocket costs. Since urgent care clinics offer an accessible alternative to the emergency room, they often cost less for the same X-ray services, especially for broken bones or suspected fractures.
Do I Need a Referral for an X-Ray at an Urgent Care Facility?
No, you don’t need a referral to get an X-ray at urgent care clinics. You can walk in anytime for symptoms like pain, swelling, or suspected fractures. Our urgent care provider assesses your symptoms, decides if imaging is needed, and performs it on-site. This allows you to avoid delays at the hospital or imaging center and get fast, efficient care for various conditions or injuries.
What Should I Bring for an X-Ray at Urgent Care?
Bring a valid photo ID, your insurance card, and a list of current medications. If your symptoms relate to previous injuries or conditions, bring any medical records you have. During your urgent care visit, we use this information to provide accurate X-ray services. This helps our urgent care provider assess the injured body part properly and offer informed decisions about treatment and pain management.
Do Urgent Care Clinics Have Radiologists On-Site?
No, many urgent care centers don’t have radiologists on-site, but Total Ortho Express has radiologists available at all times. Every X-ray is reviewed by a board-certified radiologist, ensuring expert care while you’re still in our urgent care clinic. This allows our urgent care provider to diagnose conditions like broken bones, chest concerns, or abdominal pain quickly and accurately.
Can Urgent Care Provide Pain Management for Fractures?
Yes, urgent care providers can manage pain from broken bones and similar injuries. During your urgent care visit, we may recommend NSAIDs, cold therapy, elevation, or splints for stabilization. Our urgent care doctors also guide activity restrictions and follow-up care. This way, urgent care facilities deliver both fast relief and efficient care without an emergency room visit or referral.
Is Urgent Care a Cost-Effective Option for X-Rays?
Yes, urgent care centers are a cost-effective option for X-ray services. They provide on-site imaging at a lower cost than a hospital or imaging center. With shorter waiting times and no extra facility fees, urgent care clinics offer affordable and efficient care. Whether you’re being checked for broken bones, abdominal pain, or other injuries, urgent care provides X-rays quickly and with less financial burden.
Are X-Rays at Immediate Care Suitable for Life-Threatening Injuries?
No, life-threatening injuries like heart attacks or strokes need emergency room care, not urgent care facilities. However, urgent care centers can handle many urgent conditions, such as chest X-rays for mild breathing issues, abdominal pain, or kidney stones. If we detect signs of a serious emergency, we refer you immediately. Urgent care clinics offer fast imaging for various injuries but aren’t meant for critical emergencies.
