Aug 25, 2025
I am Dr. Joseph Fazalare, an orthopaedic surgeon at United Hospital Center, and I am here to tell you more about the Friday Night Lights clinic offered at UHC Orthopaedics.
1). What if a cheerleader, band member, or referee sustains an injury during the game? Are they permitted to attend the Friday Night Lights clinic?
Absolutely. We will treat any patient who has sustained an acute injury. We even see college team members at our Friday Night Lights clinic. The clinic will focus on all athletes who have non-emergent injuries that require medical attention.
2). What are the costs associated with a Friday Night Lights visit?
Charges for a Friday Night Lights visit cost the same as a standard office visit. The charge may vary depending on your injury, diagnosis, and insurance coverage.
Insurance will be accepted for services provided through the Friday Night Lights clinic. Copays are expected at the time of service. Charges for imaging, casting, or bracing may be incurred.
3). Is there a reason why these orthopaedic injuries happen?
The soreness and stiffness often associated with an orthopaedic sports injury are due to overexertion or incorrect form. However, when the pain continues and is accompanied by swelling and inflammation, there may be more going on than a simple muscle sprain.
Believe it or not, limited swelling is necessary for the body to progress from one healing state to the next. Some types of swelling may inhibit healing. If an injury causes bleeding into tissue, a swelling called a hematoma occurs that may require immediate medical attention.
If there is swelling within joints, it is called an effusion and may lead to joint stiffness. If your injured joint feels like it wants to give out or buckle, you may have sustained a ligament injury commonly seen in ACL tears in the knee.
Treating more serious injuries may involve our UHC Orthopaedic physicians, so as to help prevent even further damage. You will find our Friday Night Lights Clinic, open every Friday night, starting August 29, until the end of high school football season.
Our facility is the first building on your left as you enter the UHC campus, with our name on the building--United Orthopaedic and Spine Center.
For more information, please visit wvorthocenter.com.
This content was originally posted on the WDTV News website here.
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