With new orthopaedic urgent care locations in Durham and Wake Counties offering evening and weekend hours as well as virtual visit options, Duke Health is expanding urgent orthopaedic care for patients in the Triangle.

“Even for minor problems, patients need high-quality care that’s fast and accessible,” says Benjamin A. Alman, MD, chair of the Duke Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. “At Duke, patients have access to specialists with orthopaedic-focused education, offering orthopaedic-focused care, backed up by providers with specialty training.”

Alman highlights the advantages of referring patients to a comprehensive health care system: “Duke is a full-service institution. In addition to the full spectrum of orthopaedic care, we also have access to experts in related areas outside of orthopaedics. If a patient’s concern turns out to be a neurological or immune problem, we can connect them with those providers seamlessly.”

General urgent care facilities may be able to diagnose an orthopaedic problem but often refer to a specialist for treatment, adding time and cost for patients. “When you have a problem or you’re in pain, you need the right care right away,” says Alman. “An orthopaedic urgent care gets patients seen more quickly and efficiently by providers with specific expertise and training in orthopaedics rather than a generalist. We can provide the right tests and treatment to offer definitive care as quickly as possible.”

When additional treatment is needed, Duke offers instantaneous access to subspecialists in every area of orthopaedics. These expert providers can help to make the most appropriate treatment decision for each patient, whether that’s physical therapy and rehabilitation only; additional imaging including MRIs or CT scans; casting; admission; surgery; or simply allowing time to take its healing course.

Duke Orthopaedics has urgent care locations in Durham and Wake Counties offering walk-in visits and appointments within 48 hours throughout the week, including evening and weekend hours:

• Duke Orthopaedics Arringdon: 5601 Arringdon Park Dr, Morrisville
• Duke Orthopaedics of Apex: 1545 Orchard Villas Ave, Suite 100
• Duke Orthopaedics of Knightdale: 162 Legacy Oaks Dr

Patients in North Carolina can also access urgent orthopaedic care through virtual visits from anywhere in the state with providers such as I-Ling Yu, PA-C, MHS, an orthopaedic physician assistant with 15 years of experience in orthopaedic urgent care. Although insurance requirements may vary, Duke Orthopaedic Urgent Care does not require a physician’s referral for virtual or in-person visits.