Hospital partners with trainers, doctor to offer sports medicine clinic

Athletes in Pike County will no longer have to wait until Monday morning to see a doctor about any injuries suffered during Friday night football games.

Troy Regional Medical Center has partnered with Dr. Eric Law and Champion Sports Medicine at Troy University to provide a sports medicine clinic from 9:30 to 11:30 each Friday night.

“The most important thing about this clinic is the kids – trying to make sure that we get a good and accurate diagnosis immediately,” Law said. “And being able to do this on a Friday means that the kids, parents and coaches don’t have to wait until Monday to find out how severe an injury may be.”

Band members, cheerleaders and team managers will also be seen at the clinic, according to Karen Herring with TRMC. However, to be admitted to the clinic, a pass from an athletic trainer at the game must be presented.

“An athletic trainer will take a look at any player, or other person, who is injured and determine if they need to go to the emergency room, or if they can come over to the sports medicine clinic and be seen by Dr. Law,” Herring said. “Where we are functioning is that middle zone.”

Herring said IVs for dehydrated athletes, MRIs, X-rays and CT scans are all available at the clinic. There are no fees charged by the hospital, except for services provided.

“The advantage there is that athletes are charged as an outpatient office visit, so the co-pay is usually much lower,” Law explained.

The process starts with a note from an athletic trainer at a football game. Once an injured teen arrives at the hospital, a representative will greet them and direct them to the second floor where they will be placed in a room. Paperwork is completed there and then they are seen by Law to determine what course of action, if any, is needed.

The clinic was open for the pre-season games two weeks ago and for opening game night last Friday. Law said there were about seven athletes who came into the clinic last Friday and that two were forwarded on for further orthopedic evaluations.

“Those kids were able to get orthopedic appliances on Friday night so they were comfortable over the weekend,” Law said. “They also learned some exercises they could do in the meantime to help strengthen injured areas.”

Law said the clinic is ready to help with concussions, sprains, strains, fractures and heat illnesses.

Herring said the clinic was made possible by a close partnership with Lesley Parrish, CSM’s clinical director of Physical Therapy Services for Troy University, and Dave Bush, high school outreach director for CSM.