Citizens Memorial Hospital | Vitality | Winter 2025

citizensmemorial.com 13 CMH Orthopedic & Spine Center Walk-In Clinic Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone: 417-777-2663 No appointment is necessary, but you can use the Save My Place service through the CMH Patient Portal to schedule a walk-in time. Learn more at citizensmemorial.com/ savemyplace. The orthopedic walk-in clinic provides non-emergent care for orthopedic injuries, including: ● Fractures. ● Minor dislocations. ● ACL injuries. ● Overuse injuries. ● Foot, ankle, leg, knee, hip, shoulder, wrist and hand injuries. Patients can also use the walk-in service for managing chronic conditions with treatments such as knee and shoulder injections. the elderly are pretty consistent all year long, with a little peak with ice and snow.” Is it a sprain or a fracture? Pain in a joint after a fall or substantial impact could be caused by a fracture or a sprain. A fracture is a break in your bone. A sprain is a soft tissue injury where the joint ligaments are stretched or torn. If you aren’t sure if the injury is a sprain or a fracture, Dr. Smith suggests allowing some time to see if the pain resolves on its own. “You’re looking for pain that is persistent,” Dr. Smith says. “If the pain is gone in an hour or two, it is probably a sprain. If it persists for several hours, it’s probably good to have an X-ray.” Sprains will heal over time, provided the joint is allowed to rest. Melton suggests these at-home treatments for a sprain: ● Rest: Reduce use of the affected joint. ● Ice: Apply cold compresses using ice. ● Elevation: Keep the joint elevated. For more information about walk-in orthopedic care, call the CMH Orthopedic & Spine Center Walk-In Clinic at 417-777-2663. Tips for avoiding injuries—in the snow or in the house Proper footwear: Whether outdoors or indoors, the right footwear helps prevent falls that lead to injuries. Worn-out shoes offer less traction. Clear snow and ice: Remove snow and ice from porch steps, sidewalks and driveways after storms. This helps it melt faster to reduce potential fall hazards for days after the storm. If you can’t safely clear the snow or ice, have someone do it for you. Be aware of pets: Ron Smith, M.D., a board certified orthopedic surgeon, says falls involving pets are surprisingly common: “Pets might be pulling on the leash during a walk, or they may just get in the way,” he says. Take your time: When getting up out of bed at night to go to the bathroom, sit on the edge of the bed for a few seconds before getting up. Secure throw rugs: Loose throw rugs can be a trip hazard. Look for obstructions: Make sure pathways are clear, especially the path to the bathroom at night.

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