Outpatient Care

Patients seek outpatient care at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for an array of rehabilitation needs. You may be continuing your recovery from a complex condition. Or, you may benefit from a short course of focused physical, occupational and/or speech-language therapy for a common injury or medical issue. We also offer specialized programs to treat chronic conditions, such as chronic pain and movement disorders.

As you progress through outpatient rehabilitation, our goal is to increase your activity level — and to restore your function and independence.

National leader in rehabilitation, with outpatient care close to home: U.S. News & World Report has ranked Shirley Ryan AbilityLab the No. 1 rehabilitation hospital every year since 1991. When you choose us for outpatient rehabilitation, you’ll benefit from our world-class care and treatment right in your community, at one of our many outpatient locations in Chicago and the suburbs.

Physician-led care: While many other providers offer outpatient rehabilitation, few have physician-led clinical teams guiding your care. Our physiatrists — physicians with advanced training and expertise in physical medicine and rehabilitation — treat patients with physical and neurological impairments. They specialize in non-surgical treatment options, giving you the best chance to reach your best outcome.

Team-based approach: Our physiatrists collaborate with therapists to create an individualized treatment plan for your rehabilitation needs. Our interdisciplinary, team-based approach ensures you get the therapies you need, when you need them.

One-on-one therapy sessions: Our therapists work with you one on one so you receive personalized, focused outpatient care and a faster path to healing.

Highly trained staff with advanced certifications: Many of our clinicians carry advanced training and certifications. For example, our experienced rehabilitation professionals have additional certifications in specialties such as pain management, orthopedics, sports medicine, arthritis care, pediatrics, geriatrics and neurology.

Best-in-class facilities & technology: As an outpatient, you have access to state-of-the-art facilities and technology at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. We collaborate closely with our own specialists in assistive technology, motion analysis, prosthetics and orthotics, wheelchair seating and positioning … and many more.

Integrating the latest research into care: Through the translation of research into care, our treatments are always evolving based on the latest advances in rehabilitation. Our clinicians adopt new approaches and the latest evidence-based practices into your care to facilitate better, faster recoveries.

Outpatients generally choose Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for two reasons:

• Short course of therapy: Outpatients do not need constant medical care, but may benefit from expert rehabilitation therapy for a short period of time. For example, we see patients who have developed an impairment due to a new injury, or who have had a flare up of a chronic condition (e.g., a sports or performing arts injury, a slipped disc, chronic pain or diabetic nerve pain, to name just a few).
• Transition: Outpatient rehabilitation is an important component of our overall continuum of care at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, especially if you need to continue recovery after inpatient and/or day rehabilitation and build upon your skills as you continue to reintegrate into your home life and community. Learn more about our levels of Care — inpatient, DayRehab and outpatient rehabilitation.

Our physicians and therapists are experts in the evaluation and treatment of diverse injuries and conditions. They will develop a plan to maximize your ability in the shortest period of time in outpatient rehabilitation. We specialize in the treatment of:

Orthopedic conditions & sports injuries

• Arthritis
• Musculoskeletal conditions, such as ankle sprains; hip injuries; knee pain; plantar fasciitis; rotator cuff injuries; stress fractures; and upper-limb injuries (hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder)
• Pelvic health in both men and women, including pelvic floor dysfunction and pain; pregnancy-related low-back and pelvic pain; sexual dysfunction; and urinary incontinence
• Performing arts-related pain and injury
• Post-surgical therapy
• Sports performance, including performance assessments (cycling, golf, running); blood flow restriction training, return to sports and VO2 max testing

Neurological conditions

• Aphasia and other communication disorders
• Brain injury
• Cerebral palsy
• Chronic pain
• Concussion
• Cognitive & functional impairments stemming from cancer and its treatments
• Long COVID brain fog
• Muscular dystrophies
• Nerve repair and peripheral nerve injury
• Neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, as well as Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders
• Spina bifida
• Spinal cord injury
• Stroke
• Vestibular and balance disorders

Other specialty services

• Assistive technology
• Computerized motion analysis
• Fabrication, fitting and use of a prosthesis or orthosis (brace)
• Pulmonary rehabilitation
• Wheelchair seating & positioning

For other general medical conditions, and/or if you do not see your condition listed above, please contact us for more information. We will be happy to assist you.

Outpatient therapy sessions are 45 minutes in length. Although your treatment plan is individualized based on your needs, you usually can expect a minimum of 1-2 weekly therapy sessions. You’ll work with physicians and therapists who are experts in your injury or condition.

A few reminders for your first appointment:

• Bring your physician order for therapy
• Bring your insurance card(s)
• Bring a photo ID
• Bring your medication list
• Bring a copy of any pertinent imaging tests or records
• Bring your completed outpatient medical intake form to the clinic where you are attending therapy
• Arrive 15 minutes early to complete registration

Outpatient care is available at our main hospital in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood (red) and our outpatient locations in Chicago and the suburbs (yellow), as well as at our many alliance therapy sites (purple).