Orthopaedic Care

When to Seek Care Immediately

• ​Bone fracture or orthopaedic trauma
• Ligament or tendon tears
• Dislocations
• Sprains, strains, or pain from an injury that has not improved in 48 hours
• Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or bowel/bladder incontinence

Visit Duke Orthopaedics Urgent Care 
We have convenient orthopaedic urgent care locations throughout the Triangle. Many are open seven days a week. Get fast service with no long waits and no unnecessary exposure to illness. No appointment necessary; walk-ins are welcome.

When to Make an Appointment at a Duke Orthopaedics Clinic

• Chronic joint pain
• Pain in that starts in the low back and runs down one or both legs
• Difficulty performing daily activities
• Limited range of motion
• Instability walking or standing

Duke orthopaedic specialists work together as a team to identify the source of your pain and recommend treatment options that will help you find relief and improve your range of motion. Your team may include the following orthopaedic specialists.

Orthopaedic Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners
They are often the first medical professional you will see and will direct you to the most appropriate provider for your care. They are specially trained in joint and bone pain and injuries and work closely with orthopaedic surgeons. They perform exams, interpret your results, prescribe medication, and assist in orthopaedic surgery.

Physiatrists
Physiatrists are physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors who specialize in nonsurgical care for conditions that affect your nerves, bones, and muscles. Duke physiatrists have completed additional training in treating sports or spine conditions, depending on their specialty.

Chiropractors
They use manual adjustment and/or manipulation to improve joint mobility in a certain area -- the spine, neck, middle back, lower back, or pelvis. The goal is to reduce muscle tightness or the irritation of nerves that travel down the arm or leg, which can cause numbness or tingling, pain, or even changes in strength. 

Osteopathic Doctors
Duke osteopathic doctors provide a full range of orthopaedic services, from prescribing medicine to performing surgery. They help you prevent and recover from an injury by focusing on a healthy lifestyle.

Orthopaedic Surgeons
They perform general orthopaedic surgery and often specialize in a particular joint, such as the hip, knee, shoulder, ankle, and wrist. Our orthopaedic surgeons may undergo additional training in joint replacement surgery, spine surgery, oncology, trauma, pediatrics, or sports medicine. 

Physical Therapists
They provide you with exercises that help you live with your condition, prepare for surgery, or rehabilitate after a procedure.

Sports Medicine Specialists
Trained to care for sports-related injuries, they specialize in the treatment of every level of athlete. They include primary care doctors, physiatrists, physical therapists, and orthopaedic surgeons. They help you recover from an injury, prevent injury, and can work with you to improve your sports performance. They help active individuals return to the activities they love. Learn more about:

• Sports Medicine
• Sports Performance Training
• Sports Medicine Forward (improves the long-term health of athletes who experience significant changes in their activity levels)

You Benefit from Our Ongoing Research and Innovation

• Duke Orthopaedics pioneered several surgical breakthroughs, including novel fracture repairs and advanced surgical techniques.
• We helped develop commonly used ankle, shoulder, and elbow joint prostheses. 
• Our surgical success is based on decades of ongoing Duke research.
• We use sophisticated tools to study patient outcomes, measure surgical success, and fine-tune our techniques to ensure you have a variety of options and experience the best outcomes. 

Our Large Surgical Volumes Result in Better Outcomes 
Our expertise and high volume allow us to manage routine and complex care effectively.

Manage Your Health with Duke MyChart
View test results, make appointments, request prescription refills, and message your doctor from any web-enabled device by using our secure online portal, Duke MyChart. Our technology also allows anyone on your care team to securely access your health information, making sure you always get care that's right for you and based on the latest evidence.