As the fall sports season kicks off, Washington Health Sports Medicine is partnering once again with six regional high schools to provide student athletic physicals.
High school athletes can have a sports physical at their high school through Washington Health, at its Urgent Care location or with their family pediatrician.
“Either way, the most important thing is to have a physical before playing any sports,” said orthopedic surgeon Russell Nord, MD, medical director of the Washington Health Sports Medicine Program.
Student athletes should make the most of a sports physical, and use it as an opportunity to get their questions answered and learn more about any concerns they may have,” added Dr. Nord, who is certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. “Be an active participant in your health.”
Washington Health offers preseason sports physicals over the course of two days, three times a year at six local partner high schools. Sports physicals are also performed at Washington Health Urgent Care at 2682 Mowry Ave. A team of approximately 10, including doctors, physician assistants, certified athletic trainers, and administrators will be on-site at the high schools for the physical exams, as well as during the sports season, to evaluate athletes, treat injuries, answer questions, and provide training guidance.
Physical Exams Identify Problems
“One of the worst things for a student athlete is to lack endurance and training, yet assume they’re going to show up on the field and be ready to play,” said Dr. Nord, who has been a team doctor for Stanford University and the San Francisco 49ers. “The key is to begin to ramp up training slowly and get back to activity gradually. Use the off-season to rest and then prepare. If you’re doing an endurance sport, get into running and swimming. Stretch to get fit and be physically ready for the sports season.”
Not only are the physicals required to play high school sports, but the exams often identify problems like tight muscles that could lead to an injury on the field, Dr. Nord explained. Occasionally, a sports physical will identify a more serious health issue, like high blood pressure, a heart condition, or an old injury that hasn’t healed.
“We ask the athletes whether they’ve ever felt faint or dizzy, or have had a concussion, as a way to flag any problems and prevent future injury,” Dr. Nord said. “Sometimes, a student will tell us that they’re feeling a little bit of something in a shoulder or a knee. If we hear that something is brewing, we can nip it in the bud.” Common sports injuries include anterior cruciate ligament tears, shoulder dislocations, fractures, pulled muscles, twisted ankles, and other mishaps.
Doctors also flag athletes who may need a follow-up eye exam. “If they can’t see the ball or other players well,” noted Dr. Nord, “they’re going to get hurt. We recommend they see their eye doctor if their vision is marginal or poor.”
Sports Physical Supplements Wellness Exam
“Sometimes things arise in a sports physical that might not come up in a wellness exam.” But, he added, there’s no downside to having their pediatrician do the sports physical, if that’s what the family prefers. He emphasized that a sports physical supplements an annual wellness exam and doesn’t replace it.
Concerns like hamstring pulls are often addressed, especially for freshman athletes who may be playing a sport for the first time and going through a growth spurt that can put them at injury risk.
“We also take the opportunity to remind students who have an allergy or asthma to carry their EpiPen or inhaler,” said Dr. Nord. “We mention that they should listen to their coaches, and learn and follow proper football tackling technique to minimize the risk of injury. Of course, we emphasize the importance of never hiding symptoms of a concussion.”
“Washington Health is a great community resource,” explained Dr. Nord. “Our partnership with the schools and athletes encourages young people to be safe, healthy, and involved in their care.”
For more information about the Washington Health Sports Medicine Program, visit washingtonhealth.com/sports.
To make an appointment for a sports physical at Urgent Care, go online at washingtonhealth.com/urgentcare, or call 510.248.8201.