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Spinal Cord Injury
As the #1 referral choice for SCI patients from all over the world, we are renowned for innovative, interdisciplinary care. By integrating advances in research and technology, we continuously enhance medical and functional outcomes.
Innovations in neuroscience and technology have led to outcomes once thought impossible.
Meet Our Patients
You want to recover what’s most important in your life — be it mobility, independence or walking again. Together we reach for those goals.
Conquering Mountains Following a Spinal Cord Injury
Cameron Zick was on a camping trip in Colorado with five friends when his life changed forever when he slipped on a rock and hit his head leaving him in severe pain and paralyzed below the neck.
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Bringing Science to the Stage
Chicago’s own Michael Patrick Thornton, formerly of ABC’s Private Practice, stars as Richard III. While set in fifteenth century Europe, this production features a 2016 breakthrough: Richard strides across the stage – in a ReWalk exoskeleton.
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Spinal Cord Injury Model System Center
The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab one of only 14 federally designated "Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems" Center. We help our patients return to the community and maximizing functional abilities while fostering independence.
read moreHow We Heal
Doctors and nurses in our Spinal Cord Innovation Center provide specialized rehabilitation & care. Our state-of-the-art Ability Labs infuse science into treatment. The goal: helping you get your life back.
Spinal Cord Innovation Center
We continue conducting clinical trials to facilitate neurologic repair and recovery. Research includes pharmacotherapeutic interventions, application of biologic materials, and stem-cell therapies.
Learn MoreLegs + Walking Lab
This Lab is designed for patients and research participants with diagnoses affecting lower-body function due to brain or spinal cord injury and diseases of the nerves, muscles and bones. Researchers and clinicians focus on advancing trunk, pelvic and leg function, movement, coordination, strength and balance.
Arms + Hands Lab
The two-story Harris Family Foundation Arms + Hands Lab is a robust environment designed for patients and research participants working on recovering and strengthening complex hand and reaching skills — turning a key, picking up a pen, reaching for a glass, putting on a sweater…all the many things we do with our hands, arms and fingers.
Strength + Endurance Lab
This Lab is designed for patients and research participants working on building stamina and resilience. Therapy is targeted to improve complex motor and endurance activities, coordination and higher-level activities of daily living (cooking, dressing, gardening, sports).
Pediatric Lab
Pediatric patients (inpatient and outpatient) work with doctors, researchers and therapists in this kid-customized Pediatric Lab, scaled for smaller bodies, developing brains and appealing to young imaginations.
learn moreOur doctors, therapists and scientists are leaders in their fields. Our state-of-the-art facility brings together these experts with the most advanced medical research and technology to give you superior care and the greatest chance for your best outcome.
Science-Driven Care
With more than 350 clinical studies under way — several specifically dedicated to improving recovery from damage to the vertebrae and spinal cord — we offer you access to the world’s most advanced research, which can directly impact your recovery.
Assistive & Rehabilitation Robotics Lab
We incorporate robotics autonomy and intelligence into assistive machines to support people with motor impairments.
view labClinical Trials and Research Studies
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