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marathon runners

Making the Miles Matter: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Staff Support Hospital in 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab staff reflect on their reasons for running the marathon — and how they’re making their miles matter through their individual fundraising.

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SCI patients giving advice

Words of Wisdom: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Patients Share What They’ve Learned After Spinal Cord Injury

In recognition of SCI Awareness Month, current patients at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab recently shared their top advice following SCI.

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Michelle Annes

A Day in the Life: Michelle Annes, Certified Hand Therapist

Michelle Annes is a CHT at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. In her unique role, she treats a diverse range of complex upper extremity cases in both outpatient musculoskeletal and inpatient rehabilitation. She primarily sees patients with shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand and digit injuries.

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basketball

Returning to Sports at the Right Time: Why Patience & Planning Matter

Whether recovering from an ACL reconstruction, a rotator cuff repair or a nagging ankle sprain, the urge to get back to running, lifting or playing your favorite sport can be overwhelming. However, returning too soon is one of the biggest risk factors for reinjury, and the consequences can set you back months — or even years.

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Leslie Marriott

Ask the Expert: Leslie Marriott, OT, Offers School-year Tips for Kids With Disabilities

With a new school year in full swing, the latest featured expert, Leslie Marriott, OT, offers tips for a successful school year for kids with disabilities.

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Colin Franz and researchers

Research Spotlight: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Advances Study of Peripheral Nerve Injury & Therapeutic Electrical Stimulation

Research was undertaken by physician-scientist Colin Franz, MD, PhD, and a team of researchers in the rehabilitation hospital’s Regenerative Neurorehabilitation Laboratory.

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hand therapy

Scar Management After Hand Surgery

When patients come to us for hand therapy after surgery — whether they’re recovering from a carpal tunnel release to relieve pressure in the wrist, a tendon repair, or surgery to address fractures or broken bones — one lingering outcome is nearly universal: a scar.

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Molly Farrell

Ask the Expert: Adaptive Fashion with Molly Farrell, Patient & Disability Advocate

In the following Q&A, Molly answers questions about living with a C5-C6 spinal cord injury (SCI) and adaptive fashion.

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Mountain Bike

Team Effort: Building an Adaptive Mountain Bike Together

A group of more than 10 Shirley Ryan AbilityLab staff, volunteers and adaptive athletes recently came together at the rehabilitation hospital for a unique opportunity — the assembly of a new adaptive mountain bike using a free, open-source design.

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Gait belt

Gait Belts Provide Support Every Step of the Way

Though a gait belt might seem simple at first glance, this common and extremely helpful tool plays an important role in keeping individuals safe and supported as they make progress in their balance, strength, coordination and mobility.

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watch

Research Spotlight: Predicting Pediatric Surgery Complications with Wearables

A new study published in Science Advances — and led by researchers at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and University of Alabama at Birmingham — is the first to use consumer wearables to quickly and precisely predict postoperative complications in children and shows potential for facilitating faster treatment and care.

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Orthotics

A Guide to Common Terms: Part 2 — Orthotics

When it comes to orthotics, the numerous technical terms and acronyms can be daunting for a patient. To help patients navigate their journey, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab continues its guide to common terminology.

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