Sprains and minor injuries treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Maple is a virtual care platform that connects you with doctors and other healthcare providers via text, audio, or video. After you log in to your Maple account, you can request an online consultation.

Consultations work similarly to in-person appointments — the doctor can complete an assessment by asking questions about your symptoms, going through your health history, and determining what treatment is right for you. If they think your condition is more serious, they may tell you to go to a clinic for an in-person examination.

As a Maple member, you get 24/7 access to virtual primary care online and more. You can connect with our network of providers via text, audio, or video call within minutes.

Our membership costs $79.99/month and covers virtual care for patients and their families, including the primary account holder's spouse and any dependents.

For patients in eligible provinces, our membership includes:

• Access to daily primary care provider visits: One daily visit with a primary care provider for each family member in their household.
• Paediatric care: Covered paediatric primary care visits, available by appointment.
• Second medical opinions: access to a network of experts for a second opinion if diagnosed with a complex condition (e.g. cancer).
• Personal Health Check-Ins: A series of personalized, evidence-based proactive care screenings to maintain and improve health.
• iCBT courses: Access to iCBT (internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy) self-assessment and courses.
• Access to specialists in eligible provinces: Easy access to specialists on Maple within days, not months. No referral is needed.
• Specialist referrals in eligible provinces: Ability to be referred to a physician specialist for in-person care, if needed.
• Credit discounts: An $80 credit per month to be applied to a Maple specialist visit.

Please note that our membership cannot be combined with other offerings, such as private insurance coverage and provincial programs, where available. In some cases, membership fees can be covered by a Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) — check with your HSA provider for more details.

We accept all major credit cards, including AMEX cards, as well as Google and Apple Pay.

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Our policies and consent processes are designed to be simple and easily understood, empowering individuals with control and a clear understanding of their healthcare journey. When using our services, a patient’s session is protected by a comprehensive security infrastructure and stringent data policies.

Patients also retain full control of their personal health information, medical records and test results at all times. Our approach is reinforced by consultations with leading experts, guaranteeing comprehensive policy frameworks that are reviewed at a regular cadence.

All providers delivering healthcare through Maple are licensed in Canada and governed by their licensing regulatory colleges, and in all instances, must act in accordance with the governing principles set out in the telemedicine policies of each medical regulator in the applicable province.

Regulators across Canada support and recognize the value of services like ours, and the way in which they can benefit patients, physicians, and Canada’s broader healthcare system by improving access to care and increasing efficiencies in the delivery of care.

Yes, you can. A doctor from Maple will most likely be able to provide a diagnosis for sprains and minor injuries by evaluating your condition, including viewing the affected area.

They may suggest you visit a clinic for a physical exam if they’re unable to provide a clear diagnosis for your sprains and minor injuries, and may send you for additional testing.

Sprains are injuries to the bands of tissue (ligaments) that connect two or more of your bones together. These aren’t to be confused with strains, which are injuries to your muscles or the bands of tissue (tendons) that attach muscles to your bones.

Minor injuries is a broad term that applies to many mild to moderate injuries. Some examples of minor injuries include:

• Strains
• Cuts, scrapes, or friction rashes
• Insect bites or stings
• Animal bites
• Mild allergic reactions
• Minor burns and scalds
• Splinters
• Minor eye injuries
• Minor head injuries
• Injuries to arms, legs, hands and feet, that allow for full recovery

The most common symptoms and signs of sprains and minor injuries includes:

• Bruising
• Swelling or redness
• Pain or tenderness
• Limited mobility or functionality at the affected area
• Hearing or feeling a popping sound at the time of injury

There are some other symptoms and signs of minor injuries to which sprains don’t apply. These are often exclusive to each condition, and can help the doctor identify the condition, in order to offer a clear diagnosis.

Sprains and strains occur when a joint is turned too much in one direction, causing the ligaments, muscles, and tendons to stretch too far or tear. The most frequent causes of sprains and minor injuries are accidents during physical activities.

While there are many different causes for minor injuries, sprains and other athletically-induced injuries often result from overextending or tearing ligaments and muscles. Typically, this happens during physical activities like walking, running, exercising, or playing sports.

In some cases, symptoms of sprains and minor injuries can be caused by accidental situations, such as tripping, falling, injuries while working, or vehicle accidents.

In most cases, the doctor will be able to offer a diagnosis for sprains and minor injuries by doing a physical assessment and discussing your symptoms.

Sometimes, the doctor may suggest additional testing, such as X-Rays, ultrasounds or MRI imaging tests to confirm their diagnosis for sprains and minor injuries.

Most often, sprains and minor injuries treatments can be immediately addressed using the R.I.C.E. strategy:

• Rest (avoid further strain on the area, consider using crutches for knee or ankle injuries)
• Ice (use ice on the affected area to reduce swelling, 15 minutes every one to two hours – particularly for the first two days after the injury)
• Compression (use an elastic bandage to wrap the affected area – this will help reduce swelling and provide support to the injured area)
• Elevation (elevate the injured area above your heart level – particularly at night)

Usually, the doctor will suggest using over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce pain or swelling. If the sprain is severe, a splint may be prescribed. In some cases of torn ligaments, you may be referred for surgical consultation.

Rarely, the doctor may suggest prescription sprains and minor injuries medications to help manage pain or prevent infection, depending on the severity of your condition.

If you’re showing symptoms or signs of sprains or minor injuries and self-care isn’t working after 48 hours, you should consider seeing a doctor. This is also the case if the symptoms of your sprains and minor injuries become severe.

The doctor will be able to suggest effective treatments for your sprains and minor injuries, and any prescription medications that may be necessary.