Emergency room musculoskeletal & orthopaedics - without prior appointment

For acute pain in the musculoskeletal system (musculoskeletal emergencies) and acute orthopaedic cases, we are there for you every day from 08:00 to 22:00 and guarantee immediate specialist treatment - no prior appointment is necessary.


Our services

  • Immediate help: Fast treatment for acute back and joint pain, accidents to the knee, shoulder, elbow, hip or foot

  • Expertise: Expert emergency care from experienced specialists

  • Rapid diagnosis: Fast and precise diagnosis and treatment

  • Pain therapy: Rapid and competent pain management


Your well-being is very important to us. Let us tackle your complaints together.

Important information

Find out more about our triage, which insurance classes are covered, how we handle waiting times and what you can do if you are not sure whether it is an emergency.

Our triage care team treats patients according to the urgency of their complaints. Please understand that there may therefore be waiting times.

We treat every patient aged 16 and over who wishes to take advantage of our help - regardless of insurance class.

We normally have short waiting times. However, depending on capacity utilisation, there may occasionally be longer waiting times. We ask for your understanding and patience in such cases.

If your concern is not an acute emergency, please make a regular appointment at one of our consultation hours at the Rheumatism Pain Clinic, the Orthopaedics Department, our physiotherapy department or your family doctor.

+41 61 315 2515

Emergency room

Get in touch now

Are you not sure whether it really is an emergency and whether you have come to the right place? Give us a call.

+41 61 315 25 15

Under certain circumstances, there may be longer waiting times - we ask for your understanding. Life-threatening situations are treated immediately.

  • Motorway exit A2 Basel Breite, via Zürcherstrasse turn left into Gellertstrasse to Bethesda Spital
  • From Messe Basel via the A2 motorway to the Basel Breite exit
  • Parking possible in the underground car park
Directions with Google Maps

FAQs for musculoskeletal emergencies

Acute health problems and emergencies can be stressful. We have therefore created this FAQ page to provide you with important information and answers to frequently asked questions. Our aim is to provide you with clarity and support so that you feel well informed and confident when using our emergency services. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.

A musculoskeletal emergency includes acute and severe pain in the back or joints, injuries caused by accidents, sudden restriction of movement and other urgent complaints that require immediate medical attention.

Musculoskeletal emergencies are acute problems that affect the body's musculoskeletal system. The term refers to urgent complaints or injuries that affect the muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments or other structures of the musculoskeletal system.

Typical examples of musculoskeletal emergencies are

  • Acute fractures (broken bones)
  • Dislocations (dislocated joints)
  • Severe sprains or torn ligaments
  • Acute back pain with neurological deficits
  • Sudden onset of severe joint pain
  • Sports injuries with severe pain or loss of function
  • Accident-related injuries to the musculoskeletal system
  • Acute episodes of inflammatory or rheumatic diseases

These conditions often require rapid medical assessment and treatment in order to avoid complications and improve the chances of recovery.

Orthopaedic emergencies include acute injuries and complaints of the musculoskeletal system that require prompt specialist assessment, for example

  • Accident-related injuries to the knee, shoulder, elbow, hip and foot
  • Sports injuries such as bruises, sprains or suspected torn ligaments
  • Acute injuries during household or gardening work
  • Sudden onset of severe joint pain
  • Acute functional limitations after a fall or accident
  • Suspected bone fractures or joint dislocations

These complaints require rapid and professional initial treatment, followed by a precise diagnosis in order to determine the best course of treatment. If you are unsure whether your complaints fall within the scope of orthopaedic emergencies, you can contact the centre directly or drop by.

We normally have short waiting times. However, depending on capacity utilisation, there may occasionally be longer waiting times. We ask for your understanding and patience in such cases.

Please bring your health insurance card, a valid ID and, if available, previous medical documents or x-rays.

Yes, the emergency service for the musculoskeletal system is available around the clock without an appointment. However, for non-urgent complaints, please make a regular appointment at one of our consultation hours in the Rheumatism Pain Clinic, the Orthopaedics Department or in our physiotherapy department.

Yes, we treat every patient aged 16 and over.

Our triage care team assesses the urgency of your complaints on arrival. Patients with the most serious and urgent complaints are treated first to ensure the best possible care.

For non-urgent complaints, please make a regular appointment at one of our consultation hours in the Rheumatism Pain Clinic, the Orthopaedics Department or in our physiotherapy department.

Emergencies cannot be planned and immediate medical treatment is essential. In the event of an emergency, the entire costs (apart from the excess and the annual deductible) are covered by your health insurance and the canton everywhere in Switzerland. In this case, you will not incur any additional costs.

You can contact the musculoskeletal emergency service at any time on +41 61 315 25 15. The address of our emergency room is Gellertstrasse 144, 4052 Basel. The emergency room is located on the 1st basement floor. You will find directions further up on this page.