‘You can do anything’: teen with disabilities reaches for her dreams

When Shianna Wilson was born, doctors said she may never be able to walk or move her arm. Diagnosed with brachial plexus palsy and cerebral palsy, Shianna underwent multiple surgeries as a young child. Throughout her life, she has worked hard to accomplish her goals, gaining strength and motion – even taking dance classes.

New President and Board Members Elected to the Association of Academic Physiatrists

Gwendolyn Sowa, MD, PhD, Endowed Professor and Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at the University of Pittsburgh/UPMC and Director of the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, has been elected president of the Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP), the largest membership society for academic physiatry, at their 2021 Virtual Conference. Dr. Sowa is joined by seven newly elected members of the AAP’s Board of Trustees.

Modern Tennis Trends Among Risk Factors for Higher Rates of Tennis Elbow

Risk factors for higher incidence of tennis elbow, a painful tendon condition, among recreational tennis players include frequency of play, wrist stretching before matches, and using a one-handed backhand and Kevlar racquet strings, according to a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting.

Physical Therapy Led to Lower Mortality Among Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19

Patients recovering from COVID-19 who had a course of physical therapy in the hospital had lower incidence of mortality compared to those who did not, according to a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting.

New Model May Help Us Better Understand Cancer-Related Disability in Humans

A novel preclinical mouse model of pancreatic cancer may promote better understanding of the mechanisms that lead to disability in human cancer patients, according to the findings of a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting.

“CrashCourse” Program Makes Teen Football Players More Aware of Concussion Risks and Why to Report Symptoms

How can we teach high school football players about concussion risks to prevent delays in reporting, diagnosing and treating this serious medical condition? The “CrashCourse” program appears more effective than older approaches when it comes educating teen athletes on the urgency of reporting concussion symptoms, according to a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting.

Patients on Chronic Opioids Likely to Live in Disadvantaged Neighborhoods, Have Worse Anxiety and Depression

People treated with chronic opioid therapy for pain are more likely to live in socially disadvantaged areas and self-report worse anxiety, depression and pain that interferes in their lives, according to a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting.

Bilateral Amputee Sprinters Outperform Unilateral Competitors in Paralympic Games

Bilateral lower extremity amputee sprinters outperformed their unilateral competitors in all race finals at recent Paralympics Games, suggesting that high-tech prosthetics provide a distinct athletic advantage, according to a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting in Orlando.