Football season is finally upon us and unfortunately that means sports related injuries are expected as well.
According to the CDC, “More than 2.6 million children 0-19 years old are treated in the emergency department each year for sports and recreation-related injuries.”
Thankfully, Covenant Health’s sports medicine experts have donated their time to give residents of the south plains a free option to get checked out after an injury on the field.
We spoke with athletic trainer Michael Gore with covenant sports medicine to discuss the clinic and who can utilize these beneficial services.
“The clinic is created for Thursday and Friday night football injuries, but we’ve opened it up to any athlete, any age, so anybody can come in and get evaluated, if they think they’ve got an injury that needs to be treated.”
“We’ll see sprains, strains, fractures, stress fractures, most of the injuries are lower extremity injuries,usually knee, ankle injuries, we’ll see some shoulder injuries.”
The best part is that the initial evaluation with the physician is free! However, charges can be incurred if x-rays, supplies, bracing, or other medical treatment is needed so make sure to bring your insurance just in case.
“If you’re a school athlete, junior high athlete, make sure a parent or coach is with you to fill out paperwork, sign forms, that type of stuff, but also bring a school insurance form with you, as well as the personal insurance information.”
The sports injury clinic is available every Saturday from 9AM to 11AM starting August 20th continuing through November 5th of this year. It is located at the Covenant Health Plus Clinic at 7601 Quaker Ave in Lubbock. Athletes will be seen on a first come, first serve basis. If you have any questions feel free to call the number on the screen (806) – 725 – 4605.
