Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

Repetitive Motion Injuries: Urgent Diagnosis, Patient-Centered Management

Urgent message: Musculoskeletal disorders result in costly, disabling outcomes for Americans—causing significant economic impact (work-related injuries, early retirement, days away from work) and representing a leading cause of chronic diseases nationwide. Frequently, the initial treating facility, which determines if the injured/ill patient is capable of returning to work or needs time away from work or modified duty, is an urgent care center. Ashley Clay, MSPAS, PA-C INTRODUCTION An estimated one in two adults older than …

Management of Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Low Back Pain in the Urgent Care Setting

Urgent message: A systematic approach to evaluating, diagnosing, and treating low back pain in the urgent care setting reduces unnecessary hospital visits, identifies red flag symptoms that warrant further diagnostic or neurosurgical evaluation, promotes returning to work quicker, and helps to reduce the number of opioid prescriptions that are prescribed for episodic exacerbation and/or chronic conditions. Ashley Clay, MS, PA-C Introduction Up to 80% of the United States population experiences back pain at some point; …