Health Skills IIUnit 202

Range of Motion

Range of Motion(ROM) definition:

exercising joints through the available motion to maintain available range and flexibility of joint structures

Purpose of ROM

maintain joint movement and integrity

prevent deterioration of joint structures, ankylosis and contractures

Indications for ROM

patients on prolonged bed rest

prevention of contracture

stimulates circulation

Types of ROM

active (AROM) performed by patient

patient moves the joints through available ROM

maintains muscle strength and joint mobility

Types of ROM

active assistive (AAROM) performed by patient with assistance from

another person or mechanical device patient uses stronger limb to move or support

weaker limb practitioner completes movement through full

available ROM

Types of ROM

passive (PROM) performed for patient by healthcare worker

or caregiver moves all muscle groups within each plane

over each joint does not maintain muscle strength maintains joint flexibility & integrity

Types of ROM

stretching forcing movement beyond the available

ROM contraindicated for most healthcare

personnel

Principles of ROM

Check doctor’s orders

Know the patient diagnosis and rationale for ROM

Explain the procedure to the patient

Principles of ROM

use good body mechanics

expose limb being exercised

support body part proximal to joint

use slow smooth rhythmic motion

Key Factors for ROM

start ROM exercises on the unaffected side start each movement in neutral position use a firm comfortable grip while maintaining

support of the extremity avoid forcing beyond range avoid overexerting patient avoid skin friction exercise just below point of pain, NOT beyond

Key Factors for ROM

if rigidity occurs slightly decrease ROM until it subsides

stop if spastic contraction occurs talk to patient to help them relax expect heart rate and respirations to rise exercise 2-3x’s daily, 5-10 movements(see

physician’s or Physical Therapist orders) document procedure & patient reaction

Basic Terminology - ROM

Flexion to bend a joint

Extension to straighten a joint

Abduction move away from midline of body

Adduction move toward midline of body

Basic Terminology - ROM

Horizontal Abduction moving away from body in a transverse

plane

Horizontal Adduction moving toward body in a transverse plane

Basic Terminology - ROM

Rotation internal (medial)

pivoting inward along an axis external (lateral)

pivoting outward along an axis

Basic Terminology - ROM

Supination rotate forearm, palm up

Pronation rotate forearm, palm down

Opposition oppose thumb tip to base of little finger

(may be done to each individual finger tip)

Basic Terminology - ROM

Eversion sole of foot turned outward at the ankle

Inversion sole of foot turned inward at the ankle

Dorsiflexion an upward or backward motion of the ankle

towards the hips Plantar Flexion

a toe down motion of the foot at the ankle

Example of Flexion

Elbow flexion bend

Example of Flexion

Knee flexion bend

Example of Flexion

Toes flexion bend

Example of Extension

Knee extension straight

Example of Extension

Head & Neck extension straight

Example of Abduction

Hip abduction away from

midline of body

Example of Adduction

Toes adduction toward midline

Examples of Rotation

Head and Neck rotation turning part on its

axis

Left

Right

Example of Rotation

Hip internal rotation pivoting inward

Example of Horizontal Adduction

Shoulder horizontal adduction toward body in

transverse plane

Example of Supination Forearm

supination rotate forearm,

palm up

Example of Pronation

Forearm pronation rotate forearm,

palm down

Example of Opposition

Thumb opposition oppose thumb tip

base of little finger or to finger tip of each individual finger

Example of Eversion Ankle eversion

sole of foot turned outward at the ankle

Example of Inversion

Ankle inversion sole of foot

turned inward at the ankle

Example of Dorsiflexion Ankle

dorsiflexion an upward or

backward motion of the ankle toward the hips

Example of Plantar Flexion

Ankle plantar flexion a toe down motion

of the foot at the ankle