Tryouts are coming, the coach needs paperwork, and your calendar is already full. Good news: you don’t need an appointment for a sports physical at Ridgeline Medical. Walk in during clinic hours, and your athlete can be checked and cleared to play. Here’s what parents and teen athletes in Idaho Falls, Ammon and East Idaho need to know.
Why sports physicals matter
A sports physical, also called a pre-participation physical exam (PPE), checks that your child is healthy enough to play safely. It’s a chance to catch things that could cause problems on the field or court, such as a heart murmur, asthma that isn’t well controlled, an old injury that never fully healed, or vision trouble. Finding these early means your athlete can get the right care and keep playing.
What happens during the exam
Most sports physicals take about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your child’s health history. One of our providers will:
- Review medical history, including past injuries, surgeries, concussions and any family history of heart problems
- Check height, weight, blood pressure and pulse
- Do a vision screening
- Listen to the heart and lungs
- Assess strength, flexibility, posture and joint health
- Talk about any current concerns, like pain during practice, dizziness or trouble breathing with exercise
If the provider finds something that needs a closer look, they’ll explain what they found, talk about next steps, and let you know about any temporary limits to keep your athlete safe.
What to bring
- The physical form from your school or league. Idaho high school athletes use the IHSAA pre-participation physical form. Your school’s athletic office can give you the current version, or you can find it on the Idaho High School Activities Association website. Fill out the history section at home before you come in.
- A parent or guardian. Athletes under 18 must come with a parent or legal guardian to give consent and help answer health history questions.
- Your insurance card, if you have one, plus any relevant medical records, like a list of medications or notes from a past injury.
Cost
Sports physicals at Ridgeline Medical are $35 self-pay. No appointment is needed.
How often does my athlete need one?
That depends on the school, league or sport. IHSAA and individual schools set their own rules for how often a new physical is required, and club teams may have their own. Check with your athletic director or coach before the season starts so you’re not caught short on the first day of practice.
Hours and location
Walk in any time during regular clinic hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 8 AM to 8 PM
- Friday: 8 AM to 6 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM
- Sunday: Closed
We’re at 2470 Jafer Ct, Idaho Falls, ID 83404, and we see athletes from across Idaho Falls, Ammon and East Idaho.
Who will see your athlete
Ridgeline Medical is a family medicine and urgent care clinic, so our providers care for patients of all ages, from little kids to grandparents. Sports physicals are done by members of that team, including Danny Spencer, DO, Jeffrey Haskell, MD, Christina Finnerty, FNP-C, Monica Nealis, PA-C, Scott Ulrich, PA-C, and Martha Maldonado, PA-C.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an appointment?
No. Sports physicals are walk-in during regular clinic hours.
Can a sports physical help prevent injuries?
It can help. Providers look at strength, flexibility and past injuries, and may suggest exercises, bracing or follow-up care to lower the risk of getting hurt.
Who can get a sports physical here?
Any child or teen who needs a physical for school or sports can walk in. If an adult needs a physical for work or another activity, call us and we’ll point you to the right visit.
Can we take care of other things at the same visit?
Yes. Let us know at check-in if you’d like to review your child’s vaccines or talk about another health concern. Many families pair the sports physical with back-to-school immunizations; see our post on immunizations for a healthy school year.
What if my athlete gets hurt during the season?
Our urgent care treats sprains, strains and minor injuries, with on-site digital X-ray. Call 911 or go to the ER right away if an athlete collapses or faints during exercise, has chest pain or trouble breathing, loses consciousness after a hit to the head, or has an obvious deformity or bone through the skin.
Get cleared to play
Skip the scheduling and walk in for a $35 sports physical at Ridgeline Medical. Learn more on our sports physicals page, or call 208-715-9990 or text 208-754-5360 with any questions.
