Broken Bones: When to Go to the ER or Urgent Care

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.