02/05/2026
Injuries don’t wait for business hours.
It might be a rolled ankle during a late-night game, sudden back pain after lifting something at home or a knee that starts swelling on a weekend. In those moments, the biggest question is often the same: What should I do next?
That uncertainty is exactly why OrthoNebraska offers askOrtho, a free virtual injury guidance service — now available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Injuries Don’t Happen on a Schedule
When someone gets hurt, they don’t automatically have a specialist appointment lined up. And nobody wants to wait around to get the help they need when injuries happen on off-hours, out of town or with zero warning.
In the moment, it can be hard to know whether it’s enough to take it easy or if medical care is required. Waiting too long can make injuries worse, while unnecessary urgent care or ER visits can be stressful and costly.
The solution is askOrtho.
What Is askOrtho?
askOrtho is a free, secure web-based chat that connects you directly with OrthoNebraska’s own nurses and athletic trainers. There’s no app to download, no insurance information required and no cost to use the service.
The purpose of askOrtho is simple: to get you the guidance you need, from real healthcare professionals, instead of searching for your symptoms online.
Depending on your situation, the care team may recommend:
- At-home care and monitoring
- Scheduling an orthopedic appointment
- Visiting urgent care or seeking immediate medical attention
You’re not speaking with a third-party call center. You’re connected to local healthcare professionals who understand orthopedic injuries and are familiar with OrthoNebraska’s locations, services and treatment options.
When askOrtho Can Help
askOrtho is designed for people who have been injured recently and aren’t sure what the next step should be. Common examples include:
- A student-athlete who twisted an ankle at practice
- A runner experiencing new knee pain
- A worker injured on the job
- A parent who strained their back lifting something heavy
- Shoulder, hip, foot or joint pain after activity
Adults located in Nebraska or Iowa can use the service, and parents may reach out on behalf of their child.
When to Seek Emergency Care Instead
askOrtho is not meant to replace emergency services or in-person orthopedic clinic evaluations for chronic or long-term conditions. If you’re experiencing severe trauma, head injuries, chest pain, numbness or life-threatening symptoms, emergency care is always the right choice — for urgent but less severe conditions that require a little more guidance, our team may direct you on the next best steps in care.
For many acute orthopedic injuries, askOrtho can help guide you to the appropriate level of care from the start — saving time, stress and unnecessary visits.
What Happens When You Use askOrtho
Using askOrtho is easy:
- Visit askOrtho online
- Start a secure online chat
- Share details about your injury
- Receive guidance from a trained healthcare professional
You’ll leave the conversation with clarity about what to do next, instead of uncertainty or guesswork.
Why Local Orthopedic Expertise Matters
One of the biggest advantages of askOrtho is that it’s staffed by OrthoNebraska’s own team. That means:
- Advice tailored to orthopedic injuries
- Knowledge of local care options
- Guidance aligned with OrthoNebraska’s services and specialists
This direct connection helps patients get to the right care faster and with more confidence.
Get Injury Guidance Anytime, Day or Night
With askOrtho now available 24/7/365, expert orthopedic guidance is always within reach — whether an injury happens late at night, on a weekend or during a holiday.
If you’ve been injured and aren’t sure what to do next, help is available when you need it most.
