Range Of Motion
Range of Motion (ROM) is the measurement of movement around a specific joint or body part. Limited range of motion impairs function and tends to cause pain and to predispose patients to pressure
ulcers. ROM is commonly measured during a physical therapy evaluation or during a
physical evaluation or during a course of treatment. Injury, surgery, or immobilization of a joint may
affect the normal joint range of motion.
Measuring ROM
Your physical therapist measures your range of motion (ROM) using a device called a (goniometer). A goniometer
is a handheld device that has numbers on it representing angular distance, much like a protractor.
Your physical therapist lines up the arms along your body, and then he or she can move your
body in specific directions and measure the amount of motion that occurs.
For a joint to have full ROM, it must have good flexibility. Flexibility is the range of motion
around a joint, and can refer to ligaments, tendons, muscles, bones, and joints. If a joint has good
range of motion, then it will be able to move in all directions that it should.
Types of ROM
Passive Range of Motion Is when you are not using your muscles to move, a machine or physical therapist
manually moves the body part. Patient cannot actively participate in exercises.
Active-Assistive Range of Motion Is when you can move your injured body part but requires some
help. You may need assistance to walk after surgery. Patient must move their limbs with the help of a
therapist or assistant.
Active Range of Motion is when you move your muscle to move your body part. This is when you can
move without any assistance from a person or machine. Patient must move their limbs themselves.
Each joint has different ranges of motion for each type of movement it can perform. Flexion and
extension are common joint movements. Extension is a motion that increases the angle between the
bones of the limb at a joint. It occurs when muscles contract and bone move the joint into a straightened
position, like straightening the elbow. Flexion is just the opposite, flexion movement bends the
joint so that the joint angle decreases, like bending the elbow. A knee might lack 10 degrees of full
extension due to injury.
Though you may start at Passive range if motion/Active assistive range of motion, active range of
motion is the goal!
Good ROM is important to getting the most of your prosthetic. Good flexibility in the
amputated limb will make things like bending the prosthetic to get in and out if the car easier. Your
therapist will measure your current ROM when you are being therapy and measure your
progress as you progress week to week.
There are several floor, bed, or floor mat exercises you can find online to improve your range of motion. For example, Hip and knee bends, in this exercise, you point your toes and slowly bend your knee as close to our chest as possible. Straighten your leg and return it to flat position. Leg Lifts, raise your leg 6 to 12 inches off the mat, holding it in the air for a few seconds. Return your leg to the mat. Side to Side, I call this one the Snow Angel, from making
angels in the snow when I was a kid. Point your toes toward the ceiling. Move your leg out to the side
as much as possible, then bring it back to the middle. Those are a few of my favorite bed, mat or floor
exercises. For more exercises, you can visit http://drugs.com for ROM exercise examples. I personally chose to ride an exercise bike daily to improve my ROM. Not only is riding a bike good for better range of motion but I also get in a good cardio workout and leg strengthening with increased tension.
During the summer months as I live in Michigan, I take a bike ride everyday with the minimum two
miles as my goal. When I ride in the house, I ride 30 minutes. Though I didn’t name them in this article,
there are ROM exercises for the Neck, Shoulder and elbow, Arm and wrist, Hand and
finger, Hip and knee, and Ankle and foot.
Reference values for Normal Joint Range of Motion is available online at Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention http://cdc.gov as part of a Normal Joint ROM Study conducted by the CDC for
people with bleeding disorders.
Consult your healthcare provider and Physical therapist to find an exercise routine that fits your personal
needs. Find exercises you like and those that are comfortable for you to do and get started
working on more flexibility in your joints and muscles to increase your range of motion and your
lifestyle!
MOVEMENT IS MEDICINE!
Sources: merckmanuels.com; verywellhealth.com; CDC.gov; drugs.com
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