Urgent care centers treat illnesses and injuries that require prompt attention but are not life-threatening, serving as a middle ground between a primary care physician and the emergency room (ER). These facilities focus on rapid diagnosis and initial management for acute, non-surgical issues. Most modern centers are equipped with diagnostic imaging capabilities, meaning the immediate answer to whether an urgent care can perform X-rays for potential broken bones is yes. This allows for the efficient assessment of musculoskeletal injuries in an outpatient setting.
Urgent Care X-Ray Capabilities
Most urgent care facilities maintain on-site imaging technology, which is fundamental to diagnosing bone fractures and joint dislocations. The equipment commonly used is digital X-ray, often referred to as Digital Radiography (DR) or Computed Radiography (CR) systems. Digital Radiography captures images using sensitive plates that transmit data directly to a computer system, providing images for review within seconds.
This rapid digital imaging process enhances the workflow by eliminating the need for traditional film processing. The images are typically reviewed immediately by the attending urgent care physician, who is trained to identify common fractures. For quality assurance, the images are often sent electronically to a board-certified radiologist for a comprehensive over-read within a few hours. Urgent care can diagnose fractures with X-rays, but they do not offer advanced imaging like CT scans or MRIs, which are reserved for more complex injuries.
Immediate Stabilization and Follow-Up Care
Once an X-ray confirms a fracture, urgent care staff provides immediate, non-surgical stabilization and pain management. Treatment involves immobilizing the injured area to prevent further damage before the patient sees a specialist. This initial immobilization is usually achieved with a temporary splint, which supports the limb without completely encircling it, allowing for potential swelling.
Pain management is a significant part of the immediate care plan, often involving oral medication. The urgent care provider will then arrange a referral to an orthopedic specialist for definitive treatment. Orthopedic follow-up is necessary because the urgent care’s role is acute stabilization, not long-term management or definitive casting. The specialist determines if the fracture requires a formal cast, reduction (realigning the bone fragments), or surgical intervention.
When to Skip Urgent Care and Go to the ER
While urgent care can handle many suspected fractures, certain severe injuries require the specialized resources of an Emergency Room (ER). The most serious indicator is an open or compound fracture, where the broken bone has pierced through the skin, presenting a high risk of infection and severe bleeding. Any suspected fracture involving the head, neck, spine, or pelvis should bypass urgent care entirely, as these injuries are associated with major trauma and internal damage.
Immediate ER attention is also necessary for injuries resulting from high-force trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident or a fall from a significant height. Signs of neurovascular compromise also demand emergency care, including numbness, tingling, excessive paleness, or a cold sensation in the limb below the injury. The ER is equipped with trauma teams, orthopedic surgeons, and immediate access to advanced imaging like CT and MRI for managing complex fractures.