When accidents happen, they interrupt schedules and wreak havoc on finances.

In some cases, it may be more economical to visit an urgent care or walk-in clinic for treatment rather than an emergency room.

Where should you go?

The answer depends on the type of injury or symptoms that you are experiencing. Certain conditions do not give you the option of urgent care. In these circumstances, treatment may mean the difference between life and death or a higher quality of life.

Call 9-1-1 and go to the emergency room if you are experiencing symptoms related to life-threatening conditions, such as:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Chest pain, pressure or other heart attack symptoms
  • Symptoms of stroke
  • Fractures that break through the skin
  • Severed limbs
  • Sudden and severe pain
  • Uncontrolled or abnormal bleeding
  • Dizziness
  • Unconsciousness

If you have a non-life-threatening injury, urgent care or walk-in care clinics are a viable option. They can save you time and money while providing you with high-quality medical care.

Walk-in care clinics can save you time. Emergency rooms work on a triage basis. People who need immediate care obviously take priority over less serious injuries or illnesses, as they should. But, for those with less severe injuries, this may mean waiting for hours.

In a walk-in care setting, you will be seen as soon as possible based on the number of patients ahead of you. You may also be able to be seen right away if you have significant pain and discomfort.

Walk-in care can save you money. Emergency rooms are set up to find medical answers as quickly as possible. Doctors who have a wealth of general knowledge confirm diagnosis through tests and X-rays. They are competent, capable and dedicated to your health. In complex situations, emergency care physicians may call-in medical expertise from area specialists to provide the best care.

Since the emergency room is set up to handle a myriad of health conditions, you not only pay for the healthcare provider’s time, but you also pay for the facility’s time. People who visit emergency rooms may incur:

  • Charges for emergency room services and supplies
  • Charges for the emergency room physicians
  • Charges for exhaustive tests
  • Additional charges if a specialist is called


You don’t need a referral or an appointment to visit a walk-in clinic

 An urgent care or walk-in facility gives you access to a team of providers dedicated to the treatment of many health conditions. You’ll be seen by a physician, physician assistant or a nurse practitioner.

If you have a broken bone or another type of musculoskeletal condition, visiting a specialized orthopaedic walk-in care clinic may be the right choice for you. The specialized staff at an orthopaedic walk-in care center offer expert care for the treatment of bone, joint and muscle-related injuries. There’s no need to call in an orthopaedic expert since they are already on-site.

You may want to consider an orthopaedic walk-in clinic if you have:

  • Minor cuts and abrasions
  • Sprains and strains
  • Simple fractures
  • Dislocations
  • Painful and swollen joints
  • Work-related injuries
  • Muscle injuries

An orthopaedic walk-in care team can diagnosis bone and joint conditions quickly through physical examination and imaging. The staff can also create personalized orthopaedic care plans, prescribe medication and provide follow-up care with the same group of providers.

If you suffer a sports injury, broken bone, twisted ankle or other mobility related injury, you may want to consider choosing a specialized orthopaedic urgent care facility instead of going to the emergency room.

Bone & Joint Walk-In Care provides orthopaedic urgent care services in the following locations during the following hours.

Medford – Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4 pm
Plover – Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm
Wausau – Monday through Friday, 8 am to 7 pm, and Saturdays 8 am to noon