Same-Day Sports Injury & Fracture Care
Same-Day Sports Injury & Fracture Care at Rady Children’s provides fast, specialized treatment for children’s broken bones, fractures, and sports injuries, with evaluation, X-ray, casting, and follow-up all in one weekend visit. Care is provided by pediatric orthopedic specialists at CHOC Specialty Care Clinic in Orange, California, open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. No appointment or referral is needed. Walk in or call ahead at 1-844-GET-CHOC (1-844-438-2462).
When your child breaks a bone or gets hurt playing sports, they deserve prioritized care from a team that specializes in growing bones. Our Same-Day Sports Injury & Fracture Care, part of Rady Children’s Orthopedic Institute in Orange County, allows families to skip the emergency room and adult urgent care and get treatment from pediatric orthopedic specialists who understand how children’s bones heal, which helps ensure that childhood injuries, especially those involving a bone’s growth plate, don’t cause problems later in life.
Beyond expert care, our patient experience is unmatched. Families are welcomed into a modern, kid-centric environment featuring playful installations from Mattel, along with warm, friendly staff who know how to put children at ease. Our casting room is designed for comfort, with a drink and snack cart and TVs for entertainment so kids can relax while they’re treated.
Important building notice: On Saturdays, the 1st floor entrance of the CHOC Clinic – Specialty Care (Southwest Tower) is closed. Enter the Orthopedic Institute from the 2nd floor, via the Southwest Tower parking garage, for Same-Day Sports Injury & Fracture Care.
Not for emergencies. Same-Day Sports Injury & Fracture Care does not treat head injuries or medical emergencies. For a head injury or concussion, extreme pain, a bone that has broken through the skin, or loss of feeling or circulation, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Where should I take my child? Same-Day Care vs. the ER
Knowing where to go saves time when your child is hurt. Here’s a quick guide.
Come to Same-Day Sports Injury & Fracture Care for:
- Broken bones and fractures (suspected or confirmed)
- Sprains and strains
- Sports-related injuries
- X-rays, casting, splinting, and follow-up
- Care on Saturdays, 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
Call 911 or go to the Emergency Department for:
- A bone that has broken through the skin
- Extreme or uncontrolled pain
- A head injury or concussion
- Numbness, tingling, or loss of circulation
- Any medical emergency
If you’re unsure how serious the injury is, call our nurse advice line at 1-844-GET-CHOC (1-844-438-2462) and a nurse can help you decide where to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Same-Day Sports Injury & Fracture Care treat?
Same-Day Sports Injury & Fracture Care treats children’s fractures and musculoskeletal sports injuries, including:
– Broken bones and fractures, including growth-plate injuries
– Sprains and acute sports-related injuries
– Casting, splinting, and cast removal
– Pin removal, suture and staple removal, and bone setting and realignment
It does not treat head injuries, concussions, or medical emergencies. For those, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Where is Same-Day Sports Injury & Fracture Care located, and how do I get in the building on Saturdays?
Same-Day Sports Injury & Fracture Care is located at CHOC Specialty Care Clinic, Southwest Tower, 555 S. Main St., 2nd Floor, Orange, CA 92868. On Saturdays, the 1st floor entrance is closed, so enter the Orthopedic Institute from the 2nd floor via the Southwest Tower parking garage. Download ChocoTracks for easier navigation.
What are the hours and where do I go for care outside of those hours?
Same-Day Sports Injury & Fracture Care is open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. If your child needs care during the week or outside of these hours, you can visit our Pediatric Urgent Care, Emergency Department, or call your child’s pediatrician for a referral to one of our pediatric orthopedic specialists.
Do I need an appointment or referral?
No referral is required for Same-Day Sports Injury & Fracture Care. Families can walk in during open hours or call ahead at 1-844-GET-CHOC (1-844-438-2462) with questions. You can also save your spot in line online before you arrive.
How is this different from urgent care or the emergency room?
Same-Day Sports Injury & Fracture Care is staffed by pediatric orthopedic specialists, not general urgent care providers, and offers shorter wait times than a pediatric emergency department. Evaluation, X-ray, casting, and follow-up coordination happen in one visit, and care transitions seamlessly from acute treatment to physical therapy and long-term follow-up in the same place.
How much does a visit cost compared to the ER?
An orthopedic weekend visit is typically far less expensive than an emergency room visit for the same injury, and wait times are usually shorter. Coverage depends on your plan; contact your insurer or call 714-509-8600 with billing questions.
What should we expect during the visit?
Families are welcomed into a modern, kid-centric space with magic in every corner, as well as friendly staff. We use the lowest radiation dose possible in our x-rays and are one of the few hospitals in Southern California to offer EOSedge imaging. Our casting room is designed to put children at ease, with a drink and snack cart, TVs, and games and books to distract from the injury. Child life specialists walk children through the casting process, often demonstrating on a doll’s arm first, and patients pick from bright cast colors and glitter. When it’s time to remove a cast, our technicians demonstrate the dull, vibrating saw on their own hand and provide headphones to cover the sound. For follow-up care, our rehabilitation services are offered in a state-of-the-art center in the same suite, with age-appropriate strategies for optimal recovery.
What is the difference between a splint and a cast?
Broken bones are a common childhood injury, especially for kids in sports. A splint is often used during the first few days to allow for swelling, and a child may be given a splint before a cast. Once the bone heals, the cast is removed with a small electrical saw whose blade isn’t sharp; it vibrates rather than cuts. After the cast comes off, the area may look pale, dry, or thinner. This is temporary and resolves with time and recommended exercises. Both splints and casts are available at Same-Day Sports Injury & Fracture Care.
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