JOPLIN, Mo. – Temporarily slowed by the pandemic, Freeman Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine personnel are once again offering free annual pre-participation physical examinations to area middle school and high school student athletes throughout the region.

The examinations are designed to screen for injuries, illnesses or other factors that could potentially increase an athlete’s risk for injury and are vital to a student’s participation in sports or physical activities as well as their individual health and safety.

Athletes in McDonald County and Carl Junction already received their examinations late last month. Beginning at 5:30 pm Monday, June 5, student athletes from Joplin- and Kansas-based Riverton and Columbus schools will congregate at Joplin High School for their scheduled examinations. 

“Freeman Health System has always held a long tradition of offering free examinations to Freeman-participating schools,” said Mick Ward, Service Line Director for Freeman Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine. “We really appreciate all of our team members – physicians, clinicians, therapists and athletic trainers – and their willingness to come out after a long day in a busy clinic setting to serve their community for an entire evening to benefit area high school athletes and their families.”

Two more scheduled examination nights are scheduled this month:

• Neosho, East Newton, Diamond and Sarcoxie student athletes at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, at Neosho Junior High School.
• Webb City, College Heights and Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School athletes at 5:30 pm Monday, June 12, at Webb City High School.

More than 250 student athletes, incoming seventh through twelfth grades, have or will be seen by Freeman personnel at each of the five locations.

“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.”

Each examination includes a student’s family medical history, height, weight, pulse, blood pressure, hearing, and vision. Additionally, a student’s nose, throat, heart, lungs, and abdomen will also be examined, along with the ankles, knees, hips, and shoulders.