Quick Access, Expert Care
When an athlete rolls an ankle during a Friday night football game or a parent twists a knee during a weekend project, finding the right care quickly can make all the difference. Johnson Memorial Health is helping bridge that gap with the launch of a new orthopedic walk-in clinic led by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Martin Turner.
The clinic offers patients a convenient alternative for recent orthopedic injuries, providing specialized care close to home without the long waits often associated with emergency departments or urgent care centers.
“Patients today are looking for quick and reliable answers for their health needs,” Turner said. “We’re trying to provide convenient access to quality care that is local here in Franklin.”
The new walk-in clinic was created to address a growing need within the community. As Johnson Memorial Health’s orthopedic practice continues to expand, Turner said adding a walk-in option was a natural next step.
“Orthopedic walk-in clinics have become more common in orthopedic practice settings,” he said. “As our practice has continued to grow, it only made sense to move in this direction.”
The clinic focuses on acute orthopedic injuries that have occurred within the previous week and have not yet been evaluated elsewhere. Common conditions include sprains, strains and minor fractures resulting from sports activities, playground accidents, exercise routines and everyday mishaps.
Turner often refers to these patients as everyone from competitive athletes to “weekend warriors” — active individuals who find themselves injured while enjoying recreational activities.
While the clinic can address many orthopedic concerns, Turner emphasizes that some injuries still require emergency care.
“More severe injuries such as deformity fractures, dislocations, infections, open wounds or injuries with uncontrollable pain should be evaluated in the emergency department,” he said.
Patients visiting the clinic can expect a streamlined experience designed to get them answers quickly. Self-check-in is available, and on-site X-ray services allow providers to diagnose injuries without requiring additional appointments or referrals. Splinting, casting and bracing services are also available when needed.
Most importantly, patients are evaluated by orthopedic specialists who can provide accurate diagnoses, immediate treatment recommendations and guidance for follow-up care.
Current walk-in clinic hours are 8:30 to 10 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, with plans to expand availability as community demand grows.
For Turner, providing orthopedic care has been a lifelong calling rooted in both his hometown and his love of sports.
Born and raised in Warsaw, Indiana — often known as the “Orthopedic Capital of the World” because of its concentration of orthopedic device manufacturers — Turner grew up immersed in athletics and developed an early interest in sports medicine.
“I wanted to find something that blended sports and health care,” he said.
That passion led him to Anderson University, where he majored in athletic training. After graduation, he spent two years working as an athletic trainer within an orthopedic practice before pursuing medical school.
His path continued through five years of orthopedic surgery residency training before he completed a sports medicine fellowship in Detroit.
That fellowship provided experiences few sports fans ever get to enjoy.
During his training, Turner worked alongside some of Detroit’s top team physicians and helped provide medical coverage for three major professional sports franchises: the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings.
The experience advanced his specialized training in sports medicine while creating memories that remain highlights of his career.
“It provided many once-in-a-lifetime memories as a sports fan,” Turner said.
Today, Turner is entering his 15th year of practice at Johnson Memorial Health. His specialty focuses on sports medicine and orthopedic surgery, with shoulder and knee conditions representing much of his practice. He also treats general orthopedic injuries involving all extremities and performs arthroscopic procedures on the shoulder, knee, elbow and ankle. In addition, he performs shoulder replacement surgeries and cares for patients ranging from children to older adults.
Beyond the operating room and clinic, Turner has become a familiar presence on sidelines throughout Johnson County.
He currently serves as team physician for Franklin College, Franklin Community High School, Indian Creek High School and Edinburgh High School. Through those roles, he works closely with student-athletes, coaches and athletic trainers to help young competitors recover from injuries and safely return to their sports.
One of the most rewarding aspects of his career, Turner said, is watching those athletes grow beyond the injuries that first brought them into his office.
“I enjoy helping student-athletes get back to sports,” he said. “But I also truly enjoy seeing these young athletes progress in life.”
Years after treatment, Turner often receives updates about former athletes who have gone on to achieve success in college, careers and their communities. Those connections remind him that orthopedic care is about more than repairing injuries — it’s about helping people continue pursuing the activities and goals that matter most to them.
Turner also serves as medical director of the athletic training program at Franklin College, where he mentors future health care professionals.
“It’s rewarding to give back and teach students,” he said.
As Johnson Memorial Health continues investing in orthopedic services, Turner believes the future is bright.
He anticipates continued growth over the coming years, including the potential addition of more orthopedic surgeons and providers to meet increasing demand throughout the region.
For now, the new orthopedic walk-in clinic represents another step toward making specialized care more accessible for local residents.
Whether it’s a student-athlete with a sports injury, a child hurt on the playground or an adult sidelined by an unexpected accident, Turner and the orthopedic team are working to ensure expert care is available when it’s needed most — right here in Franklin.
