The arc of motion that a joint allows when it is normal can easily be
measured and observed; therefore abnormalities in joints and joint
function can be assessed by loss of motion. Measuring this loss helps to
quantify the patient’s deficits.
Range of motion can be assessed as
either active or passive. When doing a passive range of motion
assessment, the examiner places the joint in the maximum position
allowed by the soft tissue constraints of the joint without the
patient’s muscle power.
The muscles
around any given joint provide a range of flexion, extension, rotation,
and deviation which is inherent to each particular joint. When
measuring ROM, we measure by either visual assessment or by a
goiniometer.
It is critical to compare measurements to the contralateral joint to determine a baseline and assess for deficits if any.
| Approximate Normal Ranges of Motion (Active) |
| JOINT |
| MOTION | DEGREES |
| Elbow |
| Flexion | 135+° |
|
| Extension | 0° to -5° |
|
| Supination | 90° |
|
| Pronation | 90° |
| Wrist |
| Flexion | 80° |
|
| Extension | 70° |
|
| Ulnar deviation | 30° |
|
| Radial deviation | 20° |
| Finger | MCP | Flexion | 90° |
|
| Extension | 30° - 45° |
| PIP | Flexion | 100° |
|
| Extension | 0° |
| DIP | Flexion | 90° |
|
| Extension | 20° |
| Finger | Abduction | 20° |
|
| Adduction | 0° |
| Thumb | Abduction | 70° |
|
| Adduction | 0° |
*All
measurements are assuming that neutral is 0 degrees of motion. Some
patients may exhibit hyperextension (extension) as a baseline rather
than 0. In these situations, we are recommending that the hyperextension
be recorded as extension again from neutral at 0 degrees.
