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