Should I Get an Over-the-Counter Pink Eye Drop Instead of Seeing a Doctor?

Some over-the-counter eye drops may help ease your symptoms. However, you should see a healthcare provider to determine the root cause of the symptoms, some of which can be serious infections that can threaten your vision.

What Are the Health Complications of Pink Eye?

Usually, pink eyes do not cause long-term complications. In rare cases, however, it can lead to chronic cornea inflammation, causing permanent vision problems. You should see an eye care specialist if your pink eye does not resolve or gets worse even after the treatment.

Can I Go to School or Work with a Pink Eye?

No! You should not go to school or work until your pink eye symptoms subside; viruses that are a common cause of pink eye are highly contagious.

How Can I Stop the Spread of Pink Eye?

Follow these to prevent the spread of pink eye: 1. Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes 2. Do not share cosmetics, eye care items, towels, pillows, contact lenses, and eyeglasses 3 . Wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching your eyes 4. Do not wear eye makeup 5. Use a clean towel and washcloth daily

How Can I Manage the Discomfort from Pink Eye?

To manage your discomfort, you should: 1. Use a cold compress or artificial tears to soothe the dryness and inflammation 2. Stop wearing contact lenses until the infection is gone

Sprains and Strains Treatment | Orange County, CA

Fast and Affordable Urgent Care for Muscle Sprains and Strains

The terms “sprains” and “strains” are used interchangeably, but they are different types of injuries. A strain is the tearing or overstretching of tendons (fibrous cords of tissues) connecting bones to muscles, whereas a sprain is the tearing or overstretching of ligaments (bands of tissues) connecting bones in a joint. While sprains and strains can be caused by lifting heavy weights, slips, and falls, they are also very common with athletes who resume sports activities after the off-season.

While mild strains or sprains can be treated at home with over-the-counter medications and rest, severe ones require medical intervention to ensure proper care and prevent repetitive injuries. At FCCMG, we provide muscle strain and sprain treatment on all seven days at our three urgent care locations (Irvine, and Costa Mesa). With our prompt yet effective medical assistance, we can quickly heal your pain, helping you get back to your normal life.

Highlights of Our Urgent Care Facilities

In-house labs for fast diagnosis and effective treatment
Wheelchair transport
Open every day, including holidays
Friendly and compassionate on-board staff
Accept most insurance plans
Free parking
Online check-in to reduce wait times

Reserve Your Spot Online!

What Could Have Caused Your Sprain or Strain?

Causes of Sprain

A sprain can occur when you overstress your joint, resulting in a ligament tear. Sprains commonly occur due to:

Exercising or walking on uneven surfaces
Poor landing from a jump
Overextending your thumb while playing tennis
Suddenly pivoting your knee
Landing on an extended hand during a fall

The following factors can increase your risk of sprains:

Wearing worn-out shoes or shoes that don’t fit
Fatigue (when you are tired, your muscles won’t provide good support to your joints, making you vulnerable to sprains)

Causes of Strains

Strains can be either acute or chronic. Using poor body motions to lift heavy weights can cause acute strains, while chronic strains are caused by repetitive injuries (stressing the muscle by repeating the same activity).

Contact sports (such as wrestling, soccer, hockey, etc.) and others like basketball, golf, gymnastics, etc., can increase your risk of strains, especially in the elbows, hands, legs, and ankles.

Strain and Sprain Symptoms We Can Treat

At our urgent care facilities, we can treat the following symptoms of sprains and strains:

Muscle weakness or spasms
Pain
Inflammation
Swelling
Bruising
Joint instability
Limited movement in the injured area

While we treat these common symptoms, we may refer you to a specialist for a holistic diagnosis and treatment if you experience more severe symptoms such as:

Pain that persists for a week, despite treatment
Bleeding or numbness in the injured site
Inability to walk or move your arms/legs

Diagnosis and Treatment for Sprains and Strains

At FCCMG, we will diagnose sprains and strains with:

Physical Examination - During the physical exam, we will check for tenderness, swelling, and intensity of pain in the affected area.
X-ray - We may recommend an X-ray to determine the nature and extent of the damage or look for fractures in the injured joint.

Depending on your test results and the severity of your injury, we may recommend any of the following treatment options to treat your sprain or strain:

Rest – Includes resting the injured area for 2 to 3 days and avoiding strenuous activities or stressing the injured area that worsens the pain. However, you shouldn’t stop being physically active to keep your other muscles in good shape.
Ice Therapy - Involves applying ice packs on the injured site to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation.
Compression – Involves compressing the injured area with an elastic bandage to prevent swelling. However, don’t wrap the bandage tightly, as it can interrupt blood circulation, causing numbness and pain.
Elevation – Includes keeping the affected area elevated above your chest level to minimize swelling.
Pain Relievers – Such as topical or oral pain relievers to mitigate your pain.
Splints and Braces – To keep your injured area still, thus limiting its movement and allowing its soft tissues to heal while reducing pain.
Physical Therapy – Includes stretches and exercises to maximize the stability and flexibility of the affected joint, preventing recurrent injuries.
Surgery – Recommended if your ligaments/tendons are completely torn or ruptured.

FAQs

Yes, FCCMG Urgent Care can treat both sprains and strains. We offer quick and effective treatment options to help alleviate pain, reduce swelling, and promote healing.

A sprain involves the overstretching or tearing of ligaments (which connect bones in a joint), while a strain is the overstretching or tearing of tendons (which connect muscles to bones). Sprains typically occur from joint-related injuries, while strains usually happen due to muscle or tendon overuse.

If your injury causes moderate pain, swelling, or limited movement, FCCMG Urgent Care is a great option for treatment. However, if you experience severe pain, inability to move the affected area, or significant bleeding, you should seek emergency care.

An X-ray may be needed if there’s suspicion of a fracture or if the severity of your injury requires further examination. Our healthcare providers at FCCMG Urgent Care will determine whether an X-ray is necessary for your diagnosis.

Yes, FCCMG Urgent Care can provide braces, wraps, and splints to support your injury and help it heal. Our healthcare providers will recommend the appropriate option based on your injury’s severity.

No appointments are needed. You can either walk in or reserve your spot online at FCCMG Urgent Care for sprain or strain treatment.

Treatment for sprains and strains at FCCMG Urgent Care typically includes rest, ice therapy, compression, elevation, pain relief medications, splints, or braces. Physical therapy may also be recommended for recovery and preventing recurrent injuries.

Yes, children and seniors with joint injuries, including sprains and strains, can be treated at FCCMG Urgent Care. Our healthcare providers will assess the injury and recommend the best course of treatment.

The healing time for a sprain or strain can vary. Mild injuries typically take a few days to a week to heal, while more severe injuries may require a few weeks or longer for full recovery.

Most insurance plans cover the treatment of sprains and strains at FCCMG Urgent Care, but coverage may vary. It’s a good idea to check with your insurance provider for specific coverage details before your visit.

Receive Best-in-Class Muscle Strains and Sprains Treatment at FCCMG

Visit or call us at one of our urgent care clinics in Irvine Woodbridge, or Costa Mesa, CA, for effective sprains and strain treatment. Whether it is a mild strain or a painful sprain, we can help cure it with a customized treatment regimen and swift medical care.