Treating Sports Injury at Urgent Care: Expert Care for Athletes

At CareWell, we provide urgent care for sports injuries.

Injury is always possible if you are an athlete or a parent with a child in after-school sports.

If you think you have a sports injury, it is vital to get the medical care you need as soon as possible. Urgent medical care ensures your sports injury heals properly and completely.

Below, we explore common sports injuries, their causes, symptoms, and the sports injury treatment services we provide to get you back in the game.

Sports Injury Treatment Services

Whether you have a sprained ankle, wrist, knee, or other common sports injury, we provide high-quality care at each of our state-of-the-art urgent care centers.

The most common sports injuries we see include:

• Bruises
• Mild concussions
• Nose bleeds
• Sprained wrist
• Sprained knee
• Sprained ankle
• Bone fracture

We regularly treat injuries from the most popular sports in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including:

• Football
• Soccer
• Baseball
• Track and field

We deliver expert medical attention—right when you need it. No appointment is necessary.

When you meet with our providers, they always start by looking at your injury and asking how it happened. Next, they ask about your medical history and determine if you take any medications. Knowing which medications you already take is important because it helps keep you safe if you need a prescription (combining certain medications can be unsafe).

Once they have all the information, they create a treatment plan for your unique needs. Our sports injury urgent care centers have on-site X-rays and lab testing so you can start healing and get back on the field or court fast.

Sprains, strains, and fractures are the most common sports injuries we treat at CareWell Urgent Care. The good news is that most sprains and strains can be treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), which helps reduce pain and swelling. Fractures, however, may require a brace, cast, or surgery.

Keep reading to learn more about common causes and symptoms of sprains and strains.

Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment for Sprained Wrist

Wrist sprains are common for basketball players, baseball players, and gymnasts. But they can happen to anyone who falls or loses their balance and tries to catch themselves.

Here are the most common causes of a wrist sprain for athletes:

• Falling
• Direct hit on the wrist joint
• Extreme twisting of the wrist joint

If you have one or more of the following symptoms, seek sports injury urgent care services from CareWell Urgent Care:

• Pain and swelling
• Bruising
• Unable to move or twist the wrist
• Unable to hold things

Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment for Sprained Ankle

Every year, we see more ankle sprains from active individuals and athletes than any other type of sprain.

Ankle injuries are common for football players, soccer players, basketball players, tennis players, and runners. Moreover, anyone with a history of ankle sprains is at a higher risk of being reinjured.

Here are the most common causes of an ankle sprain for athletes:

• Falling
• Landing awkwardly after jumping or pivoting
• Running on an uneven surface
• Direct hit on the ankle joint

If you have one or more of the following symptoms, you may need orthopedic urgent care services:

• Pain and swelling
• Bruising
• Unable to rotate the ankle
• Unstable walking
• Unable to walk

Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment for Sprained Knee

Wrist sprains are most common for runners, football players, baseball players, lacrosse players, and skiers because of the harsh side-to-side movements required. Sudden stops, twists, and turns put extra pressure on the knee joint, which can weaken them over time.

Here are the most common causes of a knee sprain for athletes:

• A hard hit to the knee
• Changing direction quickly
• Landing awkwardly after falling, jumping, or pivoting
• Sudden twisting

If you have one or more of the following symptoms, you may need sports injury urgent care services:

• Pain in the knee immediately after a direct hit or twist
• Pain when moving the knee joint
• Swelling
• Unable to walk without limping
• A feeling of instability while walking

Urgent Care for Sports Injuries: Help That Is Close to Home, Work, and Play

Choosing the best sports injury urgent care center is important if you want to heal properly and get back to leading your team to victory.

Our CareWell Urgent Care centers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island offer a full range of services for athletes of all levels. We deliver high-quality urgent care for sprains and careful and thorough urgent care for fractures. Our services include everything from diagnosis and treatment to aftercare planning.

Visit our locations page to find the nearest center and save your spot in line to receive care for a sports injury at our walk-in clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Injuries

Are you or a loved one dealing with a sports-related injury? Here are answers to some common questions about sports injuries to help you understand the importance of seeking appropriate care.

Why Visit an Urgent Care Clinic After a Sports Injury?

Visiting an urgent care clinic, like CareWell, after a sports injury allows for prompt evaluation and treatment by medical professionals experienced in managing such injuries. This ensures quicker recovery and reduces the risk of complications.

What Sport Has the Most Injuries?

Sports with high-impact or contact elements, such as football, basketball, soccer, and gymnastics, tend to have a higher incidence of injuries than others.

What Are the Benefits of Urgent Care for Sports Injuries?

Urgent care centers, like CareWell, offer timely access to medical care for sports injuries without the long wait times of emergency rooms. They also provide specialized treatment and diagnostic services tailored to sports-related injuries.

When Is an Emergency Room Visit Recommended for a Sports Injury?

An emergency room visit is recommended for sports injuries that involve severe pain, deformity, inability to bear weight, loss of consciousness, persistent bleeding, or signs of a possible fracture or head injury.