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Original chapter authors: Benjamin W. Szerlip and Scott M. Zimmer Originally published in 2014. Substantially updated and clinically reviewed in 2026. INTRODUCTION The shoulder girdle is a unique and complex unit consisting of three joints (the acromioclavicular [AC], glenohumeral, and sternoclavicular joints) and one pseudoarticulation (the scapulothoracic joint). Almost every major athletic activity involves use of the shoulder in some manner, and thus the shoulder can be injured by trauma (direct or indirect) or by …

Original authors: Christopher M. Prior, Matthew Speer, and John Shufeldt Originally published in 2014. Substantially updated and clinically reviewed in 2026 to reflect current evidence, guidelines, and urgent care practice. Introduction Lower extremity injuries are common in the urgent care setting. Rapid triage, evaluation, and treatment are paramount in order to move a typical urgent care center’s volume of patients. The history of acute trauma resulting in a painful or swollen extremity focuses the evaluation …

Original author: Robert Truax Originally published in 2014. Substantially updated and clinically reviewed in 2026 to reflect current evidence, guidelines, and urgent care practice. INTRODUCTION Ankle and foot injuries are one of the most common presentations in the urgent care setting, owing to the vulnerability of the ankle and foot joint complex. Severe injuries are not limited to fractures but can also include soft tissue—skin, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Fortunately, the severity of the injury …

Original authors: Kent Erickson and John Shufeldt Originally published in 2014. Substantially updated and clinically reviewed in 2026 to reflect current evidence, guidelines, and urgent care practice. INTRODUCTION Neck pain is a common presenting complaint in urgent care centers. The challenge is to distinguish minor muscular pain from fracture, spinal cord or nerve root compression, infection, malignancy, and vascular disease. During the aging process, the incidence of cervical disc prolapse, spinal spondylosis, and spinal stenosis …

Original author: William Gluckman Originally published in 2014. Substantially updated and clinically reviewed in 2026 to reflect current evidence, guidelines, and urgent care practice. INTRODUCTION Flank pain is a fairly common presenting complaint in the urgent care setting. Causes may be related to musculoskeletal injury, retroperitoneal injury or organ problems, or thoracic pathology, or be related to a number of intra-abdominal problems. As with most diagnoses, a good history and physical exam will be important …

Original author: Kimberly Gibson Originally published in 2014. Substantially updated and clinically reviewed in 2026 to reflect current evidence, guidelines, and urgent care practice. INTRODUCTION Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in children and a major source of morbidity. The challenge is to diagnose, treat if appropriate, triage if hospital work-up and care are necessary, and arrange for timely follow-up care and consultation. Children with fever and no localizing symptoms, as well as those with …

Original author: Kimberly Gibson Originally published in 2014. Substantially updated and clinically reviewed in 2026 to reflect current evidence, guidelines, and urgent care practice. INTRODUCTION Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the infections most frequently encountered in urgent care. Dysuria may be caused by bacterial cystitis, urethritis, genital tract disease, or a noninfectious process. The first task is to identify patients with systemic infection, pregnancy, or urinary obstruction who need more than routine outpatient treatment. …

Original author: Jeffrey Collins Originally published in 2014. Substantially updated and clinically reviewed in 2026 to reflect current evidence, guidelines, and urgent care practice. INTRODUCTION Gastrointestinal bleeding (GI) may be described by location (upper versus lower), time course (acute versus chronic), and presentation (overt versus occult). A suspected small-bowel source may be considered when upper and lower endoscopic evaluation is unrevealing. The clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment depend on the etiology, location, and chronicity of …

Original author: Elisabeth Scheufele Originally published in 2014. Substantially updated and clinically reviewed in 2026 to reflect current evidence, guidelines, and urgent care practice. INTRODUCTION Abdominal pain is a frequent complaint in the medical setting, with severity ranging from a benign, short-lived issue to a life-threatening condition. The abdomen houses most of the gastrointestinal organs as well as other vital organs and vessels, and it is also adjacent to other major anatomic systems that can …

Original author: William Gluckman Originally published in 2014. Substantially updated and clinically reviewed in 2026 to reflect current evidence, guidelines, and urgent care practice. Introduction Vomiting and diarrhea may be associated with many gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, both infectious and noninfectious, but may also be symptoms associated with several other disorders and disease entities. A thorough medical history is very important in evaluating the cause for these symptoms. In urgent care, the immediate tasks are to …