We fall, we trip, we get hit in sports. It happens to everyone sooner or later. And usually, it's not a big deal. But sometimes, bones break. According to the CDC, one in five falls leads to a severe injury, such as a head injury or broken bone. That's a pretty significant number. So, it's best to know when you need to seek medical attention for a broken bone and where to go.
Of course, many factors go into deciding whether to go to the ER or urgent care facility for a broken bone.
Factors to Consider
1. Severity of the Break
When it comes to broken bones, there are five main types of fractures:
- Closed fractures: The bone does not puncture the skin
- Complete fractures: The bone is shattered into two or more pieces
- Open fractures: The bone punctures the skin
- Partial fractures: The bone is cracked but not completely broken
- Stress fracture: A hairline fissure in the bone
Generally speaking, the more severe the fracture, the more likely you will need to go to the ER. For example, an open or complete fracture will almost always require emergency room treatment. On the other hand, a stress fracture may not need any medical attention at all.
2. Location of the Break
Another factor that affects whether you should go to the ER or urgent care for a broken bone is the location of the break. For example, an urgent care center can treat fractures in the extremities (arms and legs). Even if you have a closed or partial fracture, you may still need to go to the ER if the break is in a weight-bearing bone, such as your femur or pelvis. And if the fracture is in the spine or skull, this will almost always require emergency room treatment.
3. Your Age
Age is another detail to consider when choosing between going to the ER or urgent care for a broken bone. Children and older adults are likely to suffer complications from a broken bone, so they should usually go to the ER.
Considering this, if you are over age 65 or younger than age 5, you should go to the ER for a broken bone.
4. Other Injuries
If you have other injuries with your broken bone, this will also affect where you should seek treatment. For example, if you have a head injury in addition to your damaged bone, you will need to go to the ER.
Choosing Between Going to the ER and Urgent Care Facility for Broken Bones
The more severe the fracture, the more likely you will need to go to the ER. But there are other factors to evaluate, including the location of the break, your age, and whether you have any other injuries.
An urgent care center can help you if you have a minor fracture, such as a stress fracture or a break in an extremity. But if you have a more severe fracture, such as an open or complete fracture, you should go to the ER.
Start to Heal Your Broken Bone at UF Health
In the past, the decision on where to go for your illnesses and injuries was up to you. Now, let us be the expert to diagnose and treat you anytime you need us, all at one location.
At UF Health Emergency & Urgent Care Centers, our primary goal is to provide the residents of Northeast Florida with exceptional service and the proper billing for the care they need. Our combined emergency room and urgent care is fully equipped to handle everything from allergies to chest pain with on-site labs, X-ray, ultrasound and CT, all under one roof.
The ER and urgent care centers are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No appointment is necessary — just walk in!
Find the UF Health Emergency & Urgent Care Center in Jacksonville near you at www.euc.ufhealthjax.org/locations.
FAQs
Severe fractures where there are multiple bones suspected of being broken, or one bone is broken in several places, or in the case of a bone protruding through the skin are emergencies and need to be treated through a hospital emergency room.
Should you go to urgent care or ER for a broken bone? ›
An urgent care center can help you if you have a minor fracture, such as a stress fracture or a break in an extremity. But if you have a more severe fracture, such as an open or complete fracture, you should go to the ER.
Does a broken bone need immediate attention? ›
A fracture is a broken bone. It needs medical care. If the broken bone is the result of major trauma or injury, call 911 or your local emergency number.
What is the most common fracture in urgent care? ›
Fractures
If the break is an open one, it needs to be treated immediately. Closed fractures are the most common and require treatment to ensure the bone is set properly. We commonly see fractures of the hand and wrist, and foot and ankle at our acute urgent care facilities.
When should a suspected fracture be treated as a medical emergency? ›
Call 911 or the local emergency number if: The person is not responding or is losing consciousness. There is a suspected broken bone in the head, neck, or back. There is a suspected broken bone in the hip, pelvis, or upper leg.
How soon after breaking a bone should you see a doctor? ›
If you suspect you have a broken bone, it is crucial that you visit a doctor immediately. Sometimes, when a fracture happens, you will feel a lot of pain and will take that as a signal to see a doctor. However, it is possible to suffer a fracture and not know you have one.
How long can a broken bone go untreated? ›
If the fracture is not treated within four weeks, the patient will need a surgical correction. If left untreated entirely, the injury can become necrotic. Spinal fractures are often missed. If it is a dangerous injury and the patient is paralysed as a result, there will be grounds for a claim.
What are the red flags for a broken bone? ›
you may hear or feel a snap or a grinding noise as the injury happens. there may be swelling, bruising or tenderness around the injured area. you may feel pain when you put weight on the injury, touch it, press it, or move it. the injured part may look deformed – in severe breaks, the broken bone may poke through the ...
What happens if you wait too long to treat a broken bone? ›
When a bone fracture is untreated, it can result in either a nonunion or a delayed union. In the former case, the bone doesn't heal at all, which means that it will remain broken. As a result, swelling, tenderness, and pain will continue to worsen over time.
What is the most painful place to fracture? ›
Leg bones are usually some of the strongest in the body and it takes a big impact such as a serious fall or a car accident for them to break. A fracture that occurs lower down the femur is classed as a broken leg rather than hip and is one of the most painful breaks to experience.
Open Fractures
Bone infection is called “osteomyelitis.” The larger the wound and the more time the protruding bone is exposed to the environment are factors which increase the likelihood infection. A person suffering from an open bone fracture must be rushed to an emergency room where the wound is thoroughly cleaned.
Where to go if you think you've broken a bone? ›
Immediate action required: Go to A&E or call 999 if:
the affected arm or wrist is numb, is tingling or has pins and needles. you have a bad cut that is bleeding heavily. a bone is sticking out of your skin.
Should I go to the ER for a broken bone? ›
Immediate Care or an ER for Broken Bones
Immediate care walk-in clinics have on-site x-ray infrastructure to review your images to stabilize the injury and provide a referral if required. However, you must visit an ER near you if the broken bone is in the head, neck, or torso, or the extended bones of the arms or legs.
Is a suspected broken bone an emergency? ›
What to do. If you think you or someone else has broken their leg, go immediately to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department.
Should a fracture be treated immediately? ›
Seeking treatment for fractures is very important in order to ensure healing takes place as quickly as possible. A fracture refers to an injury or break to the bones. There are many types of fractures, ranging from small hairline fractures to traumatic bone breaks.
What happens if you break a bone and don t go to the hospital? ›
When a bone fracture is untreated, it can result in either a nonunion or a delayed union. In the former case, the bone doesn't heal at all, which means that it will remain broken. As a result, swelling, tenderness, and pain will continue to worsen over time.
When should I be worried about a broken bone? ›
If you think you have a bone fracture, you need to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Go to the emergency room if you experience any of the following: Intense pain. You can't move a part of your body like you usually can.
