Emergency department or urgent clinic?
Understanding your options if your child gets injured.
Popular Search Terms
The Orthopedic Urgent Clinic at Boston Children’s Hospital provides specialized orthopedic care for children, teens, and young adults with musculoskeletal injuries that need prompt treatment.
Rather than waiting for an indefinite time in a crowded walk-in clinic, you can make an appointment with us and remain in the comfort of your home, coming in only when it’s time for the appointment — most often on the same day.
Orthopedic injuries we treat in kids and teens
We diagnose and treat many fractures and a wide variety of other of bone, joint, muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries, including:
- Broken legs
- Broken ankles
- Broken arms
- Broken elbows
- Clavicle fractures
- Dislocated shoulder
- Dislocated kneecap
- Ankle sprains
- Achilles tendon injuries
- Tendonitis
- Sprains and strains
- Unexplained limping
If your child is in severe pain and can’t be soothed, or if their arm or leg is visibly crooked or severely swollen, bring them to the emergency department so they can be seen by our Orthopedic Trauma Program team.
Services we offer
- Diagnostic imaging
- Bracing and casting
- Referral for urgent surgical care if needed
- Follow-up orthopedic care
What to expect when you visit the Orthopedic Urgent Clinic
If your child is injured and does not seem to require emergency care, call the Orthopedic Urgent Clinic, and we will schedule an appointment at the location closest to your home — often on the same day.
Each clinic is staffed by Boston Children’s pediatric orthopedic specialists who will evaluate and treat your child’s injury. Treatment may involve immobilizing the injured arm or leg in a sling, brace, or cast. Before you leave, we’ll schedule a follow-up appointment so we can monitor your child’s healing.
Most of our patients at the Orthopedic Urgent Clinic do not need surgery. However, if your child’s injury does require surgical treatment, we will arrange this care quickly with our orthopedic trauma surgery team.
Why choose Boston Children’s Orthopedic Urgent Clinic
As part of Boston Children’s Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Department, the Orthopedic Urgent Clinic is staffed by experts in treating pediatric orthopedic patients. We tailor care to our patients’ ages and stages of development to optimize their healing and future development.