You might be surprised by the kind of calls that come into Intermountain orthopedics and sports medicine clinics.

“Give me some of that chicken fat” might be an unlikely request over the dinner table, but the phrase is occasionally heard at our orthopedics and sports medicine clinics. Perhaps not with those exact words, but patients do occasionally ask for a chicken fat injection to relieve joint pain. Why chicken fat? The raw material that some injections are developed with (including Orthovisc and Synvisc) is rooster or chicken combs. Other injections (such as Euflexxa) have other derivative properties.

The good news is regardless of how injections are developed, they help to mimic but don’t re-grow cartilage in the joint. As a result, injections can significantly reduce joint pain due to cartilage loss or damage.

Another unusual call for orthopedics and sports medicine help comes from patients who claim to have a “trigger finger.” This is a condition in which a finger gets stuck in a bent position. The finger may bend or straighten with a snap — like a trigger being pulled and released.

The medical term for trigger finger is “stenosing tenosynovitis” and it occurs when the finger’s protective tendon sheath becomes irritated and inflamed. Intermountain orthopedic clinics can help with the condition. Treatment may include medication, therapy, or surgery in the case of severe symptoms.

Typical calls to an Intermountain orthopedics and sports medicine clinic pertain to cortisone injections, shoulder pain, hip pain, knee pain, and other musculoskeletal injuries and issues.

Calls that don’t come in, but probably should, pertain to broken bones. People often assume that a walk-in, urgent care facility is the only option for broken bones. Although an urgent-care facility is the best option for many non-emergency conditions, these clinics don’t set or cast broken bones and instead refer patients to an orthopedic surgeon for the job.

Because many Intermountain orthopedics and sports medicine clinics have their own x-ray facility, our teams can diagnose and set broken bones. Some providers leave time in their schedules to fit in emergency situations during regular hours, Monday through Friday. Of course, fractures that break the skin or include exposed bone still need the emergency room as the first line of defense.

Whether you're in need of a "chicken finger injection," have a "trigger finger," or have another orthopedics and sports medicine-related need, contact the Intermountain orthopedics and sports medicine clinic closest to you and get an appointment set up today.