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Common Conditions We Treat at Vitality Urgent Care

Shoulder Pain

The question after almost every fall is the same. Is it broken, or just badly sprained? Pain, swelling, and bruising happen either way, so the honest answer is that an X-ray settles it.

What Is It

A fracture is a crack or break in a bone. It can be a hairline crack that barely shows, or a break where the pieces have moved. Small fractures in the wrist, foot, hand, and ankle are the ones most often mistaken for a sprain.

Symptoms

Pain that is sharp and focused over the bone rather than spread across the soft tissue, swelling, bruising, trouble using the limb, and pain that worsens when you press one specific spot. People often assume that moving or walking on it rules out a break. It does not. Plenty of people walk into the clinic on a fractured foot.

Treatment

We X-ray on site and read it the same visit. Stable fractures are splinted or booted here, with pain control and an orthopedic referral for follow up. Displaced or unstable fractures, and any fracture with a wound over it, are sent on for specialist care. A splint, not a cast, is what a fresh fracture needs, since swelling in the first days would make a cast dangerously tight.

If pressing one spot on the bone makes you flinch, come in for an X-ray rather than waiting a week to see.

When to Come to Urgent Care vs Emergency Department

Come to Urgent Care Go to the Emergency Department
A suspected broken wrist, hand, finger, foot, toe, or ankle A limb that is bent or twisted out of shape
Injury with swelling and focused bone pain Bone visible, or a wound over the broken area
An injury that is not improving after several days A suspected broken hip, thigh, neck, back, or skull
You need an X-ray and a work or school note Numb, cold, pale, or blue fingers or toes past the injury

FAQ

Is it broken or sprained?

Pain level does not separate them. Tenderness directly over bone, and being unable to bear weight, make a fracture more likely.

Can you walk on a broken foot?

Often yes, especially with a small crack. Walking on it is not proof that nothing is broken.

Will I get a cast here?

We splint or boot the injury and send you to an orthopedic specialist, who casts it once the swelling settles.

Care When You Need It Most

Walk in when you need us. Book ahead if you prefer. Our doors are open.

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Buffalo Grove: 56 W Dundee Rd, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
Mon-Fri: 8 AM - 8 PM | Sa -Sun: 8 AM - 4 PM

Lake Zurich: 480 S Rand Rd, Lake Zurich, IL 60047
Mon-Fri: 8 AM - 8 PM | Sat-Sun: 8 AM - 4 PM

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