On April 4, Texas Orthopedics opened the first emergency care center in the Austin region that focuses exclusively on orthopedic injuries.

Texas Orthopedics Urgent Injury Clinic treats strains, sprains, dislocations, fractures, sports-related injuries and injured joints of the ankle, back, elbow, foot, hand, hip, knee, neck and shoulder.

The clinic provides on-site X-ray and MRI services, casting and bracing for patients age 13 and older.

Texas Orthopedics President Dr. Brannan Smoot said the clinic would serve certain patients better than general clinics or emergency rooms.

“ERs are for when you have a heart attack or a bone poking through your skin,” he said.

Patients can visit the clinic after regular office hours and see a doctor who specializes in musculoskeletal issues, Smoot said. Patients are more likely to get a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment, he said.

Smoot also said the clinic would be less expensive than an emergency room visit and often has no wait time.

Located at 4700 Seton Center Parkway, Ste. 200, Austin, the clinic is open Mon.-Fri. from 5-8:30 p.m.