What is Musculoskeletal Range of Motion? Range of motion (ROM) is the measurement of movement around a specific joint or body part. It involves both the distance a joint can move and the direction in which it can move. There are established ranges considered normal for various joints in the body. For a joint to have full ROM, it must have good flexibility. Flexibility is the ROM around a joint. Each joint has its own level of flexibility, expressed in degrees. Flexibility
can refer to ligaments, tendons, muscles, bones, and joints. Limited flexibility may lead to pain, limitation, and compensation, all of which can result in increased dysfunction of the joint. If a joint has full ROM, it should be able to move in all planes and directions permitted to that joint. Joint movements include flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction. Flexion is the movement that decreases the angle of the joint, bringing two bones closer together. Extension is the
opposite of flexion, involving movement that increases the joint angle, or the distance between two bones or parts of the body. Abduction involves movement of the limb away from the midline of the body. Adduction is the opposite of abduction, involving movement of the limb towards the body midline. Limited ROM refers to a joint with decreased ability to move causing limited motion. A problem within the joint, swelling of tissue around the joint, muscle stiffness, or pain can
lead to limited ROM. Joint ROM naturally declines as you age, but it can occur due to several conditions. Conditions that can result in these symptoms include arthritis, joint dislocation, joint injury, immobilization, and surgery. The purpose of ROM exercises is to prevent the development of adaptive muscle shortening, contractures, and shortening of the capsule, ligaments, and tendons. In addition, ROM exercises provide sensory stimulation. ROM exercises are prescribed for a specific
joint with limited ROM upon the outcome of a physiotherapy assessment. This assessment looks at the ROM and quality of movement of the joint. These exercises can be assisted by gravity, assisted by yourself, assisted by another person, done within water, and by an external machine. Strengthening exercises may be prescribed alongside or shortly after ROM exercises, as the increased movement at the joint without increasing the strength could cause a further injury. The 3 types of ROM exercises include passive, active, and active assistive ROM. Passive ROM is the movement applied to a joint by another person or motion machine. With passive ROM, the joint receiving the exercise is completely relaxed while the outside force moves the body part throughout the available range. Active ROM is the movement of a joint provided entirely by the individual performing the exercise. Active ROM is done without an outside force aiding in the movement. Active assisted ROM involves the joint receiving partial assistance from an outside force. Active assisted ROM may result from most of the motion applied by the individual performing the exercise or by the person assisting the individual. ROM testing is important in determining the cause and severity of issues you may be having with joint movement. Testing ROM provides information as to whether or not joints are moving the full ROM expected of them. An Inclinometer is a device that measures the slopes of your joints, which is helpful in determining your body’s stability in different areas as you perform various movements. At Whole Body Healthcare, we can test your ROM with the use of an inclinometer every two weeks to ensure patient’s ROM is improving appropriately, or whether different or additional ROM exercises are needed. Here is Arek, a Massage Therapist at Whole Body Healthcare, discussing Range of Motion: Introduction[edit | edit source]Range of motion is the capability of a joint to go through its complete spectrum of movements. Range of motion of a joint can be passive or active. Definition - The definition of ROM varies among published sources; Kapandji and colleagues described ROM as “the extent of osteo-kinematic motion available for movement activities, functional or otherwise, with or without assistance” [1]
Measuring Range of Motion[edit | edit source]A Goniometer (image 2) is used to measure range of motion in the joints of the body. Both use a stationary arm, protractor, fulcrum, and movement arm to measure angle from axis of the joint).[3] Of all the types, a universal goniometer is most widely used and comes in two forms: short arm and long arm.
See the goniometry collection of pages for instructions on how to correctly (reliably and accurately) place the goniometer when measuring Range of Motion. An Inclinometer can also be used, which has different purposed, but is not as versatile as a goniometer. Range of Motion Normal vValues[edit | edit source]Each joint has a normal ROM, while each person has a different amount of ability to achieve it. Below are generally accepted values for a normal ROM for some individual joints as measured in degrees Table 1. Typical Joint Ranges[5]
Causes of Limited Range of Motion[edit | edit source]Limited range of motion refers to a joint that has a reduction in its ability to move. Motion may be limited because of a problem within the joint, swelling of tissue around the joint, stiffness of the muscles, or pain.[6] Medical conditions associated with a limited range of motion in the joints include:
Increasing Range of Motion[edit | edit source]As mentioned in the next section, Range of Motion can be maintained and gradually increased through the following Range of Motion & Stretching exercises. Check out the page on Stretching for an in-depth explanation of the concept and topic. Range of Motion Exercises & Stretching[edit | edit source]Range of motion exercise refers to activity aimed at improving movement of a specific joint. This motion is influenced by several structures: configuration of bone surfaces within the joint, joint capsule, ligaments, tendons, and muscles acting on the joint. There are three types of range of motion exercises
Physiotherapy[edit | edit source]There are many reasons for seeing a physiotherapists if movement is reduced at a join. Range of motion therapy benefits
Resources[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Is the ability of the muscles and joints to go through a full range of motion this time let us measure it through sit and reach?Flexibility – is the ability of the joints and muscles to move through its full range of motion.
What is the full range of motion of a joint called?Range of Motion (ROM) is the measurement of the distance and direction a joint can move to its full potential. E.g. Raising your arm from by your side to above your head = 180°; Flexion. All the joint structures of the body are designed to have a given ROM.
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