Maybe you twisted your ankle when you went for that layup or tweaked your knee on the stairs. It might be injured. This may be the perfect time to visit the UCLA Health Orthopedic Walk-In Clinic, where you can see an orthopedic specialist right away, says one of its physicians, Vanessa Franco, MD PhD.
Staffed by emergency-medicine-trained physicians with sports medicine expertise, the clinic sees patients with acute orthopedic injuries: a jammed finger from playing basketball, a wrist twisted during a snowboard fall, a banged-up knee from tripping over the dog’s leash. Same-day or next-day appointments can be made by phone or online, or folks can just walk in.
Clinic staff can treat fractures, sprains, dislocations, arthritis flare-ups, joint swelling and other common orthopedic concerns. X-rays, splints and casts can all be handled onsite.
If an injury requires more advanced emergency medical care, “the emergency room is right downstairs,” Dr. Franco says.
Seasonal injuries
While the walk-in clinic tends to see falls and playground injuries year-round, there’s also a seasonal rhythm to its cases: more ski and snowboard injuries in the winter and more skateboarding, running and hiking injuries in the summer.
There’s been an increase in orthopedic injuries related to the L.A. wildfires. Dr. Franco says she has seen multiple injuries from falls while navigating unfamiliar surroundings after evacuating from fire zones.
She advises those who have been relocated to be aware of potential trip hazards as they acclimate to their new environment.
Quick access to orthopedic care
The clinic “helps facilitate an expert level of care on an urgent basis,” Dr. Franco says.
For non-urgent concerns – or if you don’t know where to start with an orthopedic issue or are struggling to get an appointment with a specialist – make an appointment to come to the walk-in clinic, she says. People treated in an emergency department for orthopedic injuries can also coordinate their follow-up care through the walk-in clinic.
“Many patients I see in the (ED) would benefit from an outpatient MRI and/or physical therapy and further counseling beyond their ED visit, so I'll often direct them to the clinic so they can get established with an orthopedist quickly,” Dr. Franco says.
While the clinic does accommodate walk-in patients, she encourages people to schedule an appointment when possible. Online appointments open at 10 p.m. for the following day. Even midday appointments are often available within a few hours, she says.
The walk-in clinic can also help patients rehabilitate injuries new and old.
“If you have an orthopedic concern and need an expert in a timely manner, we’d be happy to see you”, Dr. Franco says.
