Sports Medicine

The athletic trainer at PCH serves multiple roles for the department.  Our athletic trainer works with patients and athletes in the clinic, serves our local high school athletes by providing sports medicine clinics and provides local sporting event coverage.

Our athletic trainer treats a wide variety of orthopedic injuries as well as functions as a first responder in athletic injury management.

Pana Community Hospital strives to prevent the rare but potential occurrence of Second-impact syndrome (SIS). In order to better manage concussions sustained by our student-athletes, we have acquired a software tool called ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing. If an athlete is believed to have suffered a head injury during competition, ImPACT is used to help determine the severity of head injury and when the injury has fully healed. The computerized exam is given to athletes before beginning contact sport practice or competition.

This non-invasive test is set up in "video-game" type format and takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. It is simple, and many athletes enjoy the challenge of taking the test. Essentially, the ImPACT test is a preseason physical of the brain. It tracks information such as memory, reaction time, speed, and concentration. However, it is not an IQ test. If a concussion is suspected, the athlete will be required to re-take the test. Both the preseason and post­ injury test data is given to a local doctor to help evaluate an injury. The information gathered can also be shared with your family doctor. The test data will enable these health professionals to determine when return­ to-play is appropriate and safe for the injured athlete.

The Excel Sports Enhancement Program is designed to bridge the rehabilitated athlete from skilled care to guided exercise and high-level drills before returning to a sport or between seasons. The program is also an excellent opportunity for any athlete looking to develop a higher level of function in their specific sport. Excel includes 12 one hour sessions working on the specific sport the athlete identifies.