The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of the Variable Friction shoe on gait in individuals with chronic stroke and foot drop. During each 12-week phase of an AB-BA clinical trial, participants will walk for at least 30-45 minutes per day for at least 5 days per week at home.

Research suggests that one in 12 men are affected by pelvic floor dysfunction. To learn more about its real-life impact on men, FOX 32 Chicago turned to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Ariana Alexander, DPT, a board-certified specialist in pelvic floor physical therapy.

Science has come a long way in helping individuals understand the experience of pain. Previously, pain was believed to be a result of a purely physical or anatomical issue, stemming from injury, illness or tissue damage.

Fortunately, a newer understanding of how pain works — pain science — takes a far more complex and nuanced view. Pain science moves away from the idea that tissue damage alone equates to pain. Rather, pain science suggests that the whole sum of a person — including biological, social and psychological factors — must be taken into account in order to fully understand their pain experience.

Physical therapists (PTs) play a critical role on the care teams at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab —helping patients regain function and improve balance, mobility, strength, endurance and range of motion.

Follow along for a day in the life of Mary Yonkaitis, a PT in the Margaret & Mark Stephan Legs + Walking Lab at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s flagship hospital in Chicago, where she primarily cares for patients recovering from stroke.

Learn how parents and athletes can be “concussion aware” for safe participation in sports.

Understanding the signs and symptoms of a concussion and getting evaluated by a specialist can help ensure a better outcome.