Physicals begin LSU Eunice athletic seasons

Posted August 22nd, 2009
LSU Eunice basketball player Tawnisha Tillman has her height measured at Rehab XCel Wednesday in the annual preseason physicals.
Tom Dodge

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By Tom Dodge
sportsenews@bellsouth.net

The room was filled with LSU Eunice athletes sharing stories about their summer while waiting in line for the annual sports physicals Wednesday at Rehabxcel.
The doctors and other medical professionals were looking for more serious issues at the different stations set up throughout the clinic.
“We have been involved with LSUE since the beginning of their athletic programs,” Dr. Craig Matherne said of the examinations. “It is a way to give back to LSUE, which means so much to this community economically, socially and culturally.”
Matherne said the screenings are to find any muscle or skeleton problems including ankles and knees.
“The bigger picture is that we are listening to hearts and lungs,” he said. “We are looking for the hidden things.”
Matherne said he checks for heart murmurs and discusses any family history of early cardiac deaths.
“You can be Pete Maravich anad collapse and die at 40 on the basketball court,” he said. “You can be like Hank Gathers and die on the court of an enlarged heart at age 22.”
The doctor said exercise-induced asthma is another area of concern for the athletes.
Matherne said any issues they find during the exams, the players are referred to that particular area of concern with an orthopedic doctor, physical therapist, heart specialist or other professional to get the athlete treated and cleared for competition.
Matherne said while LSUE doesn’t play football, the athletes still have injuries especially knees and ankles.
The doctor said at the high school level the greatest percentage of injured athletes is cheerleaders.
“That is kind of shocking, but cheerleaders are very physically active,” he said.
Doctors that were present were: Dr. Rhonda Moser-Pucheu, Dr. Ed Graul, Dr. Zeb Stearns, Dr Kalieb Pourciau and Dr. Matherne.
Therapists included Michael Driggs, Lee Miller, Cathy Johnson, Emily Brown and Angelle Driggs.