Elgin Elks offers free orthopedic checks for children

The Elgin Elks 737 Lodge, in cooperation with the Illinois Elks Children's Care Corporation and Sherman Hospital, will sponsor a free children's orthopedic assessment clinic Monday, Nov. 16.

The clinic from 2 to 5 p.m. is by appointment only. To make an appointment, call the Illinois Elks Children's Care office at (800) 272-0074 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays. There are no charges for any services at this clinic.

The Elks will hold the clinic at Advocate Sherman Hospital, 1425 N. Randall Road, Elgin. Dr. Vincent Cannestra will be the clinician in charge.

No medical referral is necessary for the clinic, but physicians are welcome to refer patients to the clinic for a specific reason or second opinion. School nurses are welcome to refer children and families to the clinic.

The Elks organization has been working with physically challenged children since 1928 and this is one of the 17 clinic locations throughout Illinois. The clinic is an ideal time to have a child reviewed for bone and joint development.

If your child has feet pointing out or in, complains of back, knee, leg, ankle pain, or has a back curvature, he or she can be seen at this clinic. There is no charge for any diagnostic service at this clinic.

The Elks will provide financial assistance to the best of their ability for children needing further treatment or specialty equipment when the family lacks sufficient resources to do so.

In the past, the Elks have purchased therapy services, corrective shoes, braces, wheelchairs and augmentative communication devices to help children overcome a variety of physical challenges.