Dr. Bob Underwood (Host): Welcome to UK HealthCast, a podcast presented by UK HealthCare. I'm your host, Dr. Bob Underwood. And joining us today as our guest, we have the Assistant Professor of Orthopedic and Sports Medicine and Sports Medicine specialist, Dr. Katie Roberts. We'll be diving into some important topics related to UK HealthCare's Sports Medicine and General Orthopedic Walk-in Clinics. Let's get started. Dr. Roberts, welcome.

Katie Roberts, MD: Yes. Thank you for having me.

Host: Yeah, absolutely. Hey, it's interesting to note that UK HealthCare offers both a Sports Medicine and a General Orthopedic Walk-in Clinic. Can you explain the distinction between these two clinics?

Katie Roberts, MD: I can. So, starting at the beginning of July, we decided to go ahead and increase access for patients. So, we previously had the sports medicine walk-in clinic that was mostly directed towards high school, collegiate-age athletes from the times of 7:00 to 8:00 a. m., run by a couple of my sports medicine colleagues. And then, after July 1st, we increased those hours to go all the way from 8:00 to noon and kind of increase the population as well to just general orthopedic care, so to include patients of all ages and really a variety of injuries.

Host: It's great. And you know, it's all about access, so that's really important these days in healthcare.

Katie Roberts, MD: Yes, especially when someone's in pain being able to get in and be seen by someone is really important.

Dr. Bob Underwood (Host): Yeah, absolutely. So many of our listeners might be wondering, when is it appropriate to visit the general sports Medicine walk-in clinic? Can you tell us a couple of common situations where folks should consider going to the sports medicine walk-in clinic?

Katie Roberts, MD: Yes. So, I see patients for a variety of conditions. I would say really any body part outside of a lot of back and neck issues, but shoulder, knee, ankle, wrist, any issue relating to any of those joints and see everything from muscle strain issues to acute arthritis flares and also do a lot of fracture care as well. So hopefully, keeping patients out of having to go and sit at the ER for hours and just be able to get in, get an x-ray and get taken care of.

Host: Yeah, you bet. As an ER doctor, I appreciate that. So, for those who are considering seeking care in the General Orthopedic Walk-in Clinic, what are some of the key benefits that they can expect? I mean, what sets this clinic apart?

Katie Roberts, MD: It's really a one-stop shop for orthopedic conditions. So, our patients are able to walk-in. And then that same day, they'll have x-rays done on whatever their issue is, whether that be, you know, a foot fracture or a knee injury, that patient will then be set up to see myself, as well as possibly one of our athletic trainers in the clinic. We'll be able to go over their x-rays same day with them, discuss, you know, do they have a need for further imaging, possibly an MRI that we could get set up for them.

A big part of my practice is doing diagnostic as well as therapeutic ultrasound procedures, and we have access to an ultrasound in our clinic as well. And all of this is going to happen at the same visit, including maybe you need crutches or a brace or a walking boot, which you would be fitted with that day before you left.

Host: That's phenomenal. Great for the patients. So, right now, we might have a potential patient or a physician who needs to refer a patient. Can you give us information about the location of the General Orthopedic Walk-in Clinic and what are its operating hours?

Katie Roberts, MD: Yes. So, the General Orthopedic Walk-in Clinic is at UK HealthCare Turfland. We run every day, Monday through Friday from 8:00 to noon. We see patients ages eight and up. And those are really the specifications to be able to get patients in.

Host: Wow, that's awesome. And so, anything else that you want to share about the General Sports Medicine and the Orthopedic Walk-in Clinics?

Katie Roberts, MD: I think we hit the high points. Again, our goal, kind of like we talked about at the beginning, was to increase access for patients, which I think we've been able to do as well as, when you come to UK HealthCare and you come to our General Orthopedic Walk-in Clinic, the person that is staffing that clinic is me, so you're able to see someone who has been specialty-trained in sports medicine, completed med school and residency in specialty training to be able to practice this. And so, that would be who you would see whenever you'd be coming in to have care.

Host: Well, that's phenomenal. So, they're getting to know you right now before they even need to come in.

Katie Roberts, MD: Yes, exactly.

Dr. Bob Underwood (Host): All right. Well, thank you so much, Dr. Roberts, for sharing your expertise and insights on these important questions. And to our listeners, if you're seeking more information or looking to make an appointment, remember, you can reach out at 859-323-5533.

For more information, visit ukhealthcare.uky.edu. If you found this podcast helpful, please share it on your social media channels. Thanks for listening to UK HealthCast, a podcast from UK HealthCare. I'm Dr. Bob Underwood.