There was a thread in one of East Brunswick’s Facebook groups this week that turned into a lively and thoughtful exchange—one of those posts where the comment section became the real story. It all started with a local resident who shared her personal experience after an injury that was misdiagnosed, ultimately resulting in a delayed treatment and, unfortunately, surgery.
We’re not going to name the facility she visited because this isn’t about calling out a local business. In fact, quite the opposite. The comment thread turned into something surprisingly productive, with dozens of community members chiming in to share experiences, insights, and—perhaps most importantly—lessons learned.
Not Just a Rant, But a Ripple of Stories
One commenter sympathized, saying, “Same thing happened to me—a fracture missed, and a sprain diagnosed. A second opinion changed everything.” Another added, “I went to an urgent care once for a swollen finger. They gave me nothing and charged my insurance $800. Next time, I’ll be asking more questions.”
But others pushed back with equal conviction. “My family has gone to them for years. Never had a single issue.” Another recalled, “The PA at that location once saved my life by urging me to get bloodwork when others thought it was a sinus infection. Turned out to be leukemia.”
And then there were those who tried to bridge the gap between both sides: “Mistakes happen, even in ERs. It’s not unique to one place. That’s why it’s so important to follow up with a specialist.”
Takeaways, Not Takedowns
The thread became a valuable community conversation about what urgent care is—and isn’t—designed to handle. Several medical-savvy commenters explained how X-rays are often initially read by providers or physician assistants, but final diagnoses frequently come from off-site radiologists. Sometimes, breaks are subtle or masked by swelling. Sometimes, things just get missed. It’s not ideal, but it’s not uncommon.
The real takeaway? When in doubt, follow up. If something still feels off, push for a second opinion. Urgent care centers serve an important role, especially for evenings, weekends, and minor illnesses. But for anything involving bones, joints, or trauma, many commenters recommended going straight to the ER or an orthopedic urgent care—even if it costs more upfront.
Let’s Learn Together
The best part of this whole thing? It wasn’t a bash-fest. It was a real conversation. Residents with good and bad experiences all had a chance to weigh in, and it became a mini town hall right in the comments.
As always, Eyes on EB isn’t here to cancel anyone—we’re here to share, reflect, and keep the community informed. Thanks to everyone who added their voice. It may not have been fun for the original poster, but the discussion might just help someone else avoid a longer recovery down the road.
PS – You can also do what Rob W. does after he get’s X-Rays, upload them through Chat GPT and see what chat has to say. You’ll be amazed!
