Our Approach to Orthopedic Injury Evaluation

At Kettering Health, we make it easy to get fast, expert care for new orthopedic injuries. Whether you’ve had a fall, twisted a joint, or hurt yourself at work or during sports, our team will evaluate your injury and guide you to the right next steps.

We offer:

• Fast access to injury evaluation: Early evaluation can prevent an injury from becoming worse. We offer same-day and next-day appointments to start your path to healing as soon as possible.
• Expert orthopedic assessment: You will be seen by an advanced practice provider specializing in orthopedics and trained to evaluate and manage musculoskeletal injuries.
• A direct path to next steps: If you need imaging, physical therapy, or an orthopedic surgeon, we’ll coordinate it so you don’t leave unsure of what comes next. We provide you with support from your initial evaluation through follow-up care.

Why Choose Us?

When you have a new injury and aren’t sure where to go, Kettering Health Orthopedics is your guide. We help you make sense of your injury, understand who can best treat it, and explore the options available close to home. Our goal is simple: you’ll know your next step toward healing before you walk out the door.

Who Should Get an Orthopedic Injury Evaluation?

You may qualify for an evaluation if you have a new injury, such as:

• Sprains or strains
• Joint pain (knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, ankle)
• Simple fractures
• Dislocations
• Muscle pain, tightness, or sudden discomfort
• Work-related injuries

No referral is required to schedule an appointment. Adults and children ages 12 and up are generally eligible for care; however, provider-specific exemptions may apply.

You may not qualify if you have:

• Chronic or long-term orthopedic pain.
• Low mobility requiring wheelchairs or gurneys.
• A workers’ compensation (VWC) case.
• Primary care concerns (colds, flu, infections).
• An emergency-level injury (severe trauma, chest pain, life-threatening conditions).

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Your appointment will begin with a physical evaluation and review of your medical history. We will also evaluate movement, joint function, flexibility, and pain response, and ask questions, such as:

• How your injury occurred
• When symptoms began
• Pain severity
• Factors worsening or improving your pain
• Any relevant medical conditions, medications, or past injuries

Depending on your condition, you may need additional testing (X-rays, ultrasound, or an MRI) during your visit or at a follow-up visit scheduled at your convenience.

Before you leave, we’ll also help coordinate physical therapy and, if needed, a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon.