Urgent Care for Musculoskeletal Disorder in College Park, MD

At Express Healthcare, we understand that musculoskeletal injuries can significantly impact your daily life. These injuries encompass a wide range of disorders that can affect your muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and other parts of the musculoskeletal system. They can occur anywhere in your body, from your neck to your feet, and can result from various factors, including physical strain, poor posture, obesity, age, and certain health conditions.

Lower back pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal injury, affecting approximately eighty percent of adults who experience this at some point in their lives. On the other hand, sprains, which are ligament injuries, can happen when a ligament gets stretched or torn. These sprains can occur in any joint but are most frequently in the wrist, ankle, and knee.

The severity of both lower back pain and sprains can vary from mild, temporary discomfort to severe, chronic pain that disrupts daily activities. This can involve proper body mechanics, regular physical activity, healthy lifestyle habits, and, in the case of sprains, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). In some situations, immobilization of the injured joint with crutches or a brace, physical therapy to restore motion and strength, or even surgery may be necessary.

Regardless of your musculoskeletal injury, whether it’s lower back pain or a sprain, it is crucial to seek immediate consultation from healthcare professionals. Most sprains and cases of lower back pain are preventable and manageable with the right treatment plan. However, severe cases may require more extended time and intensive treatments. We are here to alleviate your symptoms and facilitate your healing process.

This term refers to damage or harm caused to the structure or function of the body’s musculoskeletal system, which includes the nerves, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and bones.

Some common symptoms to be aware of are listed below.

Pain: often the first and most noticeable sign of a musculoskeletal injury. If you’re experiencing sharp, dull, constant, or intermittent pain, particularly during or after physical activity, it might be time to seek medical attention.

Swelling or Bruising: Injuries may lead to an area appearing larger than normal, tender, or warm to the touch due to inflammation or fluid accumulation. Bruises or variations in skin tone may also be seen following an injury.

Stiffness or Weakness: A limited range of motion or stiffness can indicate an injury, as can muscle weakness that impairs your ability to perform normal activities.

Numbness, Tingling, or Crepitus: Numbness or tingling could point to nerve damage, while a grating or crackling sound during movement may indicate damaged cartilage or bone.

Deformity or Instability: Visible deformities or a feeling of lack of support in the injured area can be a red flag for severe musculoskeletal injuries.

Loss of Function: If you’re unable to bear weight or use the affected area, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention.

Other Symptoms: Depending on the injury type, you may also experience fever, chills, nausea, or dizziness.
Early recognition can often prevent further damage and ensure a faster and more complete recovery. If you have any of these symptoms following an injury, we urge you to seek medical attention at our practice as soon as possible.

We offer comprehensive services for casting broken bones at our urgent care center. When you visit us with a suspected fracture, our experienced team will evaluate your injury through a physical examination and imaging tests, such as X-rays.

Once a fracture is confirmed, we will immobilize the injury with a cast, splint, or brace to prevent further damage. Simple fractures are typically treated with a cast alone, while more complex fractures may require additional evaluation and treatment by an orthopedic specialist.

If a cast is needed, we will prepare the area by cleaning and padding it before applying a layer of plaster or fiberglass. The cast must remain in place to ensure proper healing. We also offer pain treatment and a comprehensive follow-up plan, and we can refer you to an orthopedic specialist if additional treatment is required.

While we handle many types of fractures, severe cases or those requiring surgery should be treated at a hospital or specialized orthopedic center. For severe fractures or injuries with protruding bones, an emergency room visit is essential. Express Healthcare offers a convenient and cost-effective alternative for non-life-threatening bone fractures.

Musculoskeletal pain, affecting the muscles, bones, joints, and connective tissues, is a common issue that many patients at Express Healthcare in Maryland face in their daily lives. However, it’s essential to understand when this pain necessitates immediate medical attention.

Here’s a guide to recognizing when professional medical assistance from our experienced healthcare team is crucial:

Severe, persistent pain:

If you are dealing with intense, persistent pain that doesn’t ease with rest or home treatments, it could signal a more serious issue needing professional medical attention. Our skilled team is equipped to identify and resolve these conditions effectively.

Redness, swelling, warmth:

These symptoms often suggest an infection or inflammation requiring prompt attention. Our team at Express Healthcare can provide the necessary treatments to alleviate these symptoms and get you back to your normal routine.

Difficulty Moving or Bearing Weight:

Impaired movement or difficulty bearing weight on an affected joint or area should not be ignored. It may be a symptom of a serious musculoskeletal disorder. Our team at Express Healthcare is well-trained to identify and treat such conditions.

Fever, Chills, and Other Symptoms:

Other worrisome signs include sudden weight loss, extreme fatigue, or a high fever that accompanies your musculoskeletal pain. At Express Healthcare, we have the facilities to conduct comprehensive tests and diagnose the underlying cause of these symptoms.

Neurological Symptoms:

If your pain is coupled with numbness, tingling, or weakness in your limbs, it might be a sign of nerve compression or damage. Our experienced team at Express Healthcare can provide immediate medical attention and appropriate treatments.

Trauma or Injury:

Pain that occurs following an injury, especially if it’s accompanied by a popping or snapping sound, can be a sign of a fracture or severe sprain. At Express Healthcare, we offer immediate attention to prevent any long-term damage.

Persistent Pain Despite Home Care:

If home care measures, such as rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers, do not provide relief or improve pain within a week, it’s wise to consult our healthcare professionals at Express Healthcare.

Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain:

While chronic musculoskeletal pain may not always require immediate medical attention, it’s advisable to seek professional guidance at Express Healthcare to manage the condition effectively.

While musculoskeletal pain is common and often not a cause for concern, certain symptoms and conditions associated with this pain urge immediate medical attention. Early diagnosis and treatment at Express Healthcare are crucial for preventing further complications and ensuring timely recovery from musculoskeletal conditions.

Don’t let musculoskeletal pain slow you down. Our urgent care services are designed to quickly address and manage injuries. We focus on providing accurate diagnoses and effective treatments to get you back to your normal activities as soon as possible. For immediate attention and professional support, reach out to us today. Contact us or book an appointment online to start your journey towards relief and recovery. We are conveniently located at 4701 Melbourne Place College Park, MD 20740. We serve patients from College Park MD, New Carrollton MD, Berwyn Heights MD, White Oak MD, Seabrook MD, Laurel MD, Springdale MD, Mitchellville MD, and surrounding areas.