At MidAmerica Orthopaedics, our mission is simple: to provide trusted expertise where healing matters most. We launched our Orthopaedic Immediate Care program as a direct response to systemic delays and gaps in traditional injury treatment. In this article, we’ll explore the flaws inherent in the typical care timeline and share how our immediate care solution elevates outcomes, reduces costs, and brings timely orthopaedic expertise directly to you.

The Problem: Delayed Access to Specialist Care

For decades, patients with acute orthopaedic injuries—sprains, fractures, tendon tears—faced long waits before seeing a specialist. It wasn’t unusual for new patient appointments to be weeks away, leaving painful or unstable injuries untreated and at risk of worsening.

• Extended Wait Times: A 2017 Merritt Hawkins survey revealed that the average wait for a new-patient physician appointment climbed from 18.5 days in 2014 to 24 days in 2017. During this month-long window, improper healing, chronic pain development, and secondary complications can take hold.
• Emergency Room Overuse: Frustrated by appointment delays, many patients turn to the ER for immediate relief. Yet ERs are designed for life‑threatening emergencies, not musculoskeletal injuries. Patients endure lengthy waits—sometimes several hours—only to see a non-specialist who can diagnose but not fully treat orthopaedic conditions.
• High Costs: These costs burden patients and employers without delivering specialist-level care.

The Solution: Immediate, Specialist-Driven Care

MidAmerica Orthopaedics’ Immediate Care program bridges the gap between injury onset and expert treatment. Here’s how it works:

1. Same-Day Access: Walk in or schedule online, and you can be seen by an orthopaedic specialist within four hours of your injury—often the same day.
2. Comprehensive Assessment: Our team performs on-site X-rays and ultrasound, enabling rapid diagnosis of fractures, dislocations, tendon tears, and more.
3. Targeted Treatment: From splinting and casting to cortisone injections and bracing, we deliver customized orthopaedic interventions on the spot, avoiding unnecessary ER visits.
4. Seamless Follow-Up: If your injury requires surgery or extended therapy, we coordinate seamlessly with our full-service practice to ensure continuity of care.

Key Benefits for Patients and Employers

• Faster Recovery: Early specialist intervention reduces pain, limits swelling, and promotes proper healing—cutting recovery times by as much as 20%.³
• Cost Savings: Bypassing the ER and obtaining definitive care lowers out‑of‑pocket expenses by up to $800 per episode compared to emergency department charges.⁴
• Reduced Downtime: Whether you’re an athlete, working professional, or parent on the go, getting immediate treatment means a quicker return to daily life.

How to Access Orthopaedic Immediate Care

1. Walk-In: No appointment needed—visit any MidAmerica Orthopaedics Immediate Care location.
2. Online Scheduling: Use our website or patient portal to reserve a spot and minimize wait times.
3. Insurance and Billing: We accept most major insurance plans and offer transparent self-pay options.

MidAmerica Orthopaedics’ Immediate Care program is transforming how south suburbs communities receive musculoskeletal care. By eliminating delays, reducing costs, and delivering expert treatment when it matters most, we ensure every patient can heal stronger, faster, and with greater peace of mind.