Hospital Offering Free Post-Marathon Clinic For Runners
Newton-Wellesley Hospital (NWH), which is located at the Boston Marathon’s 17 mile mark, is offering two free post-marathon clinics to runners who participate in the race. The clinics will provide diagnosis and treatment of injuries or illness that have occurred as a result of running the Marathon.
The two free medical clinics will be Tuesday, April 22 (the day after the marathon), and Tuesday, April 29, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Surgical Center (east entrance) of NWH. The clinics will be staffed with sports medicine and marathon injuries experts, physicians, podiatrists, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and nurses. The coolest part? Even X-rays and lab tests will be free (if needed). Treatments, which will be based on their diagnosis, will include braces, casts, and dressings, and doctors will be doling out expert advice on appropriate exercise and methods for reducing swelling, pain, and inflammation.
“We are happy to offer these free services to the athletes of the 118th Boston Marathon,” says Brendan O’Boyle, a physical therapist at NWH. “Because many non-acute injuries and illnesses do not become evident right away, it is important that athletes have the opportunity to be evaluated and treated promptly to prevent certain conditions from becoming more serious.”
The reason why NWH is offering an additional clinic one week after the race is because it is common for runners to have lingering aches and pains. “Some athletes know right away if they’ve injured themselves,” O’Boyle says. “But some people choose the ‘wait and see’ approach hoping that their pain will go away with rest, and when it doesn’t, they come and see us.”
Reps from NWH say that athletes should consider coming to the clinic if they have any pain or swelling, or are suffering from dehydration, blisters, cuts, abrasions, lacerations, or from a fall while competing.
Walk-ins are welcome, or to schedule an appointment for the Marathon Injury Clinics, call Newton-Wellesley Hospital’s CareFinder Line at 617-243-6383 or email carefinder@partners.org. (2014 Washington Street, Newton)
