Ask a doctor on the topic of Other questions to doctors

Get a sports exemption for school?

September 8, 2016 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Hello,

I would like to request an exemption from sports for my last year of school (starting 12th grade after the holidays). Currently, I am undergoing treatment for pain in my ankle, knee, hip, and back (so actually quite a lot) with a doctor. Additionally, a hip imbalance has been diagnosed in my case (meaning that one side is higher than the other, or one leg is longer than the other). My current doctor has not yet mentioned a sports exemption to me (although I have subtly indicated that physical education is difficult for me). His advice: Just take an Ibuprofen before sports class. So I believe that I will not have any luck with him, even if I address it directly. What would your advice be? Should I perhaps make an appointment with another doctor and directly mention that I would like a sports exemption when scheduling the appointment? Can any doctor issue a sports exemption, or do I need to see a government doctor? Do my symptoms qualify for an exemption at all?

Thank you.

Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Good evening,

A sports exemption does not necessarily have to be issued by a government doctor, it can also be done by an orthopedist or general practitioner.

However, after compensating for the leg length difference (through appropriate shoe lifts), sports could actually be helpful, and the other joint pains could also improve significantly with better muscle support, relieving the joints. Therefore, it is quite conceivable that no doctor would issue a sports exemption that is actually counterproductive. None should do that if it is not advisable.

It would be more sensible to diagnose the cause of the pain orthopedically and treat it in a way that you will soon be pain-free.

I wish you all the best!

Sincerely, Dr. Höllering