Because of the risks involved in playing football and heightened concerns over concussions, New York City high school students who want to play the game now must get a medical clearance. Testing is being provided free of charge by sports medicine specialists, primary care physicians, therapists and other health professionals at the highly regarded Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in Manhattan. Medical professionals are checking students for their medical history, heart and lungs, strength and flexibility, and condition of any previous injury.
“In addition to giving the students a complete physical, we assess their core muscle strength as well as their lower extremity strength, power and flexibility, information that can lead to injury prevention and performance enhancement. We also check them for deficits in strength and flexibility so we can help them perform better on the field and enhance safety, ” said John Cavanaugh, PT, ATC, SCS, clinical supervisor, Sports Rehabilitation and Performance Center at HSS.
Once the season begins, hospital physicians and certified athletic trainers will provide medical coverage for the games at several schools, according to James Kinderknecht, M.D., a primary care sports medicine physician at Hospital for Special Surgery. He said that specialists will ensure that players receive the necessary care if they’re injured on the field. Doctors and staff will be available to see students at a Monday clinic for public school football players at the hospital.
“We are committed to making sure these high school athletes have access to medical care, so they don’t have to worry about ‘who do I see, and how do I get in, ’ because the clinic is accessible, ” Kinderknecht explained. “It’s not always easy to get in to see a doctor when you get hurt. The more cumbersome the process, the more likely it is a student will fall through the cracks. The goal is to make it as easy as possible, removing any financial barriers that may be there, as well.”
