(Joplin, MO) – School sports provide exercise and lessons in teamwork for students, but it is important that they are physically ready to play. Freeman Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Program is hosting free, pre-participation physicals for incoming seventh to twelfth grade students. The physicals will be held on four nights and are offered to schools who partner with Freeman Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Program.
“Having a sports physical before sports begin offers some big benefits to athletes,” said Dr. Robert Lieurance, Freeman Orthopaedic Surgeon. “A pre-participation physical can identify any health issues in the athlete — or any possible health issues in their family — that could put the athlete at risk during physical activity. These include cardiac problems, which could present as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting during exercise.”
The sports physicals include a check of family medical history, which includes prior concussions and other injuries. A student’s height, weight, pulse, blood pressure, and vision are also tested. Several doctors are present at each session where screenings will check ears, nose, and throat; heart; and the lungs and abdomen. Orthopedic screenings include a check of the musculo-skeletal system, looking at the ankles, knees, hips, and shoulders to examine how they move and if there are underlying conditions that can put a student athlete at risk.
“Having a record of a physical exam early in the season offers the benefit of knowing whether the athlete had a previous injury or surgery, and how that changed or worsened with a recurrent injury,” said Dr. Lieurance.
Sports physical events are scheduled at host locations with individual time slots for schools:
Carl Junction High School – Wednesday, June 1
- 5:30 pm, Carl Junction
Joplin High School – Monday, June 6
- 5:30 pm, Joplin
- 6:00 pm, Riverton
- 7:00 pm, Children of Freeman employees, Columbus, and Sarcoxie
Neosho High School – Tuesday, June 7
Webb City High School – Monday, June 13
- 5:30 pm, Webb City
- 6:45 pm, College Heights Christian School and Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School
Sports physicals can also be performed by a family physician. If you have questions about sports physicals, contact William King at bking@cjr1.org or call 417.291.0897.
About Freeman Health System:
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2020, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System the Best Hospital in Southwest Missouri for 2020. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 80 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services and women’s services. Additionally, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.
Reference:
Lisa Olliges, Marketing & Media Relations Coordinator
Freeman Health System
417.434.3458
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