When scheduling a sports physical at PrimeHealth Urgent Care, it’s crucial to be prepared and bring the necessary items to make your visit as efficient as possible.

First and foremost, bring your government-issued identification card. At PrimeHealth, we use this to verify your identity. If the physical is for a minor, the parent or guardian should also bring their ID. In addition to this, carrying an insurance card is essential for our records.

Come equipped with your complete medical history. This includes previous injuries, surgeries, ongoing medical conditions, and any past or current illnesses or chronic conditions. We also require a list of medications you are currently taking, including their dosages and frequency, covering both prescription and over-the-counter drugs, and supplements. If available, bring copies of any relevant medical records, such as X-rays, MRIs, or physical therapy notes.

Remember to bring any vision aids you use, such as glasses or contact lenses, as a PrimeHealth physical examination often includes a vision test.

You’ll also need any relevant forms that need to be completed by your doctor. This might include school or athletic organization forms that need to be signed off on after the physical.

Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy movement and examination. Bring athletic shoes that you wear during sports activities and any protective gear used while playing sports, such as helmets, pads, or mouthguards.

In case of medical conditions such as asthma or allergies, bring necessary medical equipment like inhalers or EpiPens to your appointment.

A sports physical is typically completed within 30 to 60 minutes. Beginning with the patient filling out the necessary paperwork, which includes a detailed medical history, this process usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

Following paperwork completion, the patient is seen by one of our experienced healthcare professionals. The physical examination itself, where our provider will check vitals such as blood pressure and heart rate, and evaluate vision, hearing, and overall physical health, lasts around 20 to 30 minutes.

In total, a sports physical typically takes between 30 to 45 minutes. However, we recommend allowing for a little extra time as each patient’s experience may differ based on their individual needs.

A sports physical is an integral part of ensuring the safety and well-being of children and teenagers participating in athletics.

Our sports physical begins with a detailed medical history review, where we discuss past surgeries, injuries, illnesses, allergies, and current medications. We also review any family history of serious illnesses that might impact the individual’s health.

Following this, our experienced healthcare provider conducts a physical examination. This involves measuring vital signs like blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate, as well as assessing the patient’s height and weight. We also check the patient’s eyes, ears, nose, and throat, cardiovascular health, and the musculoskeletal system.

Our sports physical also includes an assessment of fitness. We test the patient’s strength, flexibility, and endurance to ensure they are fit for the sport they intend to participate in.

Additional tests and screenings like vision and hearing tests, electrocardiogram (ECG), and urinalysis may also be included, based on individual requirements.

After the examination, our healthcare provider will provide a clearance assessment and may provide recommendations or restrictions if necessary.

The visit will conclude with follow-up instructions for monitoring and maintaining fitness, preventing injuries, and scheduling follow-up appointments if required.

Our team understands the importance of nutrition and hydration, concussion management, and wearing protective gear during sports and we guide on these matters.

The benefits of a sports physical are numerous. We aim to identify potential health risks or underlying conditions before individuals engage in physical activity, provide guidance on safe training practices and injury prevention, document baseline health information for future reference, and meet eligibility requirements for sports participation in schools, leagues, or competitions.

We provide sports physicals to a diverse range of age groups participating in organized athletic activities.

• Children: Starting from the age of 4 or 5, children who partake in school or community sports may require a sports physical. PrimeHealth Urgent Care offers these evaluations, which are typically mandated for school-age children participating in organized sports activities in elementary, middle, and high school.
• Adolescents: Adolescents up to the age of 18, who are typically involved in various sports activities, need these comprehensive medical evaluations to ensure safe participation in sports activities.
• Young Adults: Individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 who engage in collegiate or other competitive sports can also benefit from sports physicals.
• Adults: Adults of all ages participating in recreational or competitive sports are also eligible for sports physicals. It’s important to remember that adults, especially those over 40, may need additional screenings or evaluations based on their age, health history, and type of sport they are participating in.

There isn’t a definitive upper age limit for sports physicals. Anyone active in a sport can benefit from these evaluations. PrimeHealth Urgent Care is well-equipped to perform sports physicals and provide necessary guidance for safe participation in sports activities.

At PrimeHealth Urgent Care, we can provide follow-up care for issues detected during a sports physical. Our team of medical professionals is equipped to carry out further diagnostic testing, devise treatment plans, and make medical referrals for a wide range of minor to moderate health concerns.

For instance, if a heart murmur is identified during the physical, our urgent care center can perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) to analyze the heart’s electrical activity. If the ECG suggests a possible cardiac issue, we can refer the athlete to a cardiologist for further assessment and treatment.

Likewise, if a skin lesion is noticed, our team can conduct a biopsy to determine if it is benign or potentially cancerous. Depending on the biopsy results, our healthcare providers can initiate suitable treatment or refer the athlete to a dermatologist for specialized care.

If a severe condition is detected that requires specialized care, we will refer the athlete to the appropriate healthcare provider.

While PrimeHealth Urgent Care is equipped to handle certain follow-up care if issues are found during sports physicals, it is not meant to substitute regular, ongoing care from a primary physician. However, it does serve as a convenient and accessible option for addressing urgent follow-up needs, particularly when issues are detected during a sports physical.

We take great pride in providing thorough, timely, and appointment-free sports physicals. We are conveniently located at 4015 US HWY 301 Ellenton, FL 34222. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We serve patients from Ellenton FL, Palmetto, FL, West Samoset FL, Memphis FL, Bradenton FL, Port Charlotte FL, Harbour Heights FL, Murdock FL, and surrounding areas.