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Sprains and Strains

Rolled your ankle on the trail? Pulled something at the gym or shovelling the driveway? Before you spend hours in an Ottawa walk-in clinic, come to our Orleans pharmacy: a licensed pharmacist can assess the injury, prescribe anti-inflammatory treatment, and — critically — flag the signs that mean you need an X-ray instead. Free with your Ontario health card.

A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament (the tissue connecting bones at a joint), usually from a twist or awkward landing. A strain is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon — the pulled hamstring, the tweaked back. Both cause pain, swelling, tenderness, and sometimes bruising.

Most heal on their own — the job is doing it right

Mild sprains and strains heal over one to two weeks with relative rest and simple pain relief. The pharmacist assessment adds two things: proper treatment (topical NSAIDs like diclofenac often match oral ones for limb injuries, with fewer side effects) and triage — checking for the signals of fracture or serious injury that need imaging, like inability to bear weight or a 'pop' at the moment of injury.

For many acute soft-tissue injuries, topical NSAIDs (like diclofenac gel) deliver comparable relief to oral tablets with far less stomach and cardiovascular exposure — a better first choice for many people, especially older adults.

Common signs and symptoms

Pain and tenderness around a joint or muscle after a twist, fall, or overexertion
Swelling, sometimes with bruising
Reduced range of motion or weakness
Pain with weight-bearing or use of the limb

Treatments our Orleans pharmacist can prescribe

For your information only: in Ontario, our pharmacist can assess this condition and, when appropriate, prescribe from the medications listed below. This information is provided for educational purposes — it is not an offer to sell. These are treatments that require a pharmacist assessment, and the right option is chosen for you.

Analgesics: Acetaminophen

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs): Acetylsalicylic acid / ASA, Celecoxib (Celebrex), Diclofenac (Voltaren), Flurbiprofen (Ansaid), Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Ketoprofen, Mefenamic acid (Ponstan), Naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve)

Self-care that helps

Topical anti-inflammatory gels/rubs (e.g., diclofenac/Voltaren)
Oral pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen)
Cold packs for the first 48 hours to reduce swelling
Compression bandages and supports to stabilize and reduce swelling
RICE for the first 2 days: rest, ice 10–20 min every few hours (towel between ice and skin), compress, elevate

Browse related over-the-counter options in our Sprains and Strains self-care collection, or ask us in store — our pharmacists will point you to what actually helps.

How the assessment works

1. Walk in or callNo appointment or referral needed. Drop by our pharmacy on St-Joseph Blvd in Orleans during opening hours, or call ahead.

2. Private consultationA licensed pharmacist reviews your symptoms, health history and medications in a short, private assessment.

3. Prescription in handIf appropriate, we prescribe and fill your treatment on the spot — you leave with what you need.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know it's not broken?

You often can't by feel alone — but the red flags are inability to take four steps, bone tenderness at specific spots, deformity, or numbness. Our assessment applies these rules and sends you for an X-ray when the picture warrants it.

Ice or heat?

Ice for the first 48 hours to limit swelling; after that, heat helps loosen stiff, healing tissue. Both are comfort measures — gentle progressive movement is what actually drives recovery.

When can I get back to sports?

When you have full, pain-free range of motion and near-normal strength — usually 1–3 weeks for mild injuries. Returning too early is the main driver of re-injury; a compression support can help bridge the transition.

Is the pharmacist assessment covered by OHIP?

Yes. The minor ailment assessment is free with a valid Ontario health card. You only pay for the medication itself if one is prescribed, and that is often covered by your drug plan.

Do I need an appointment at your Orleans pharmacy?

No. Walk-ins are welcome during all pharmacy hours — Monday to Friday 9:00 AM–6:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM. You can also call 613-824-3111 ahead of your visit.

When to see a doctor instead: See a health-care provider if you can't bear weight or use the limb, the joint looks deformed or unstable, there's numbness/tingling or significant swelling, you heard a 'pop' at the time of injury, or the injury hasn't improved after 2 weeks. These can signal a fracture or a more serious injury needing imaging.

Hurt yourself? Get assessed today.

Skip the walk-in clinic wait. Our Orleans pharmacists assess and prescribe for sprains and strains — free with your Ontario health card.

Call 613 · 824 · 3111 Hours & directions

Serving Orleans and east Ottawa — Fallingbrook, Avalon, Chapel Hill, Queenswood Heights, Blackburn Hamlet, Navan & Cumberland. 2746 St-Joseph Blvd, Unit 100, Orleans, ON K1C 1G5.