Haven't had a regular physician in years, so I go to minute clinics when I need a script.

Anywho, we were on vacation and I took a fall, my leg stretched further than it should have, and I heard a pop. Fell the next day, similar circumstances. Couple days later it was starting to feel better, until the ride home, when it stiffened up. Wife today noticed for the first time that it's bruised.

Today it's super stiff, very sore, and not cooperating, so I made an appointment to have it looked at, because I don't want to go to the ER for a strain.

Assuming the nurse practitioner determines I need an MRI to rule out a tear, can they order it, or do I need to go to a general practitioner? Goal is to avoid the ER if at all possible, because my insurance isn't the best for ER services.

Thanks guys.

Same as you I had no gp for yrs. I used nurse practitioner at clinic except for oncologist and rheumatologist. Finally got son and I a family Dr. My np got me setup several times although she worked under Drs. license.
Here a Drs appt takes weeks to get in.

Ouch sorry to hear that.
More than likely she will take xray and or ultrasound. She will or can put in the prior auth for the mri to both the insurance and the radiologist but she will probably insist you get a pcp for follow up care.

I wrapped my leg around a tree one time, every dr i saw said stretched thigh muscles is nearly as bad as a break.
I didn't have a pcp then so I can't remember how I landed up getting so many dr visits.

Advice would be to approach situation as you feel. I would not avoid appointment based on what insurance covers. If it does not improve, GO IN. We carry insurance for that reason. If it is better after a couple days, put the Pampers on and live through it. Not sure what your situation is makes it easy to say that but to each to his own for what we can tolerate

Well, the NP said they can't address it because they have no imaging equipment. So I'm sitting ar the urgent care now. Soon as I told them it popped, they said I need scans.

So now we wait.

The NP can order any x-rays, MRI, CT scans, and fax the order to any hospital, you want to go to, without going thru the ER. In fact, the NP/receptionist can call the ex-ray department direct and get you scheduled.

relax,it will be ok.

They don't think anything is torn, wrote scripts for meds. Pharmacy closed 3 minutes before I got there. Follow up in a week.

Thata great news

Spoke too soon. Going to see the orthopedist in the morning. He saw the pictures of the bruising and thinks I might have a ruptured quad.

My dad had that a few months ago. No fun. Good luck to you and hoping for fast healing

Looks like I'll be out for the season. Trap on guys.