4/7/2016 Range 

of Motion — Guide to Phys. Therapist Prac.

Range of Motion

Range of motion (ROM) is the arc through which active and passive movement occurs at a joint or a series of
joints and the angle(s) created during this limb or trunk movement. Muscle length (the maximum extensibility of a
muscle-tendon unit), in conjunction with joint and soft tissue extensibility, determines တexibility. Range of motion
in biomechanical terms is classiတed as osteokinematic motion. Evaluating ROM abnormalities includes
consideration of arthrokinematics (accessory movement at joint surfaces); tissue extensibility, such as muscle-
tendon length and movement; and muscle tone, including spasticity.

The physical therapist uses tests and measures to assess an individual's ROM. Responses monitored at rest,
during activity, and after activity may indicate the presence or severity of an impairment, activity limitation, or
participation restriction.

Examples of Clinical Indications:

Risk factors for impaired range of motion

Bone, joint, and/or musculotendinous pathology history

Habitual suboptimal posture

Injury and/or surgery history

Periods of immobility

Health, wellness, and တtness needs

Fitness, including physical performance (eg, limited shoulder ROM)

Health and wellness (eg, inadequate understanding of relationship between mobility and pain-
free functional activities)

Pathology or health condition

Anthropometric (eg, obesity)

Genitourinary (eg, pregnancy)

Musculoskeletal (eg, avulsion of tendon; disorders of muscle, ligament, and fascia; fracture;
osteoarthritis [OA]; scoliosis; spinal stenosis; sprain; strain)

Neuromuscular (eg, Parkinson disease [PD])

Ventilation (eg, restrictive lung disease)

Multisystem (eg, trauma)

Impairments of body functions and structures

Cranial and peripheral nerve integrity (eg, abnormal gait)

Joint integrity (eg, joint edema)

Muscle performance (eg, muscle weakness)

Range of motion (eg, limited ROM of elbow, limited motion of pelvic တoor muscles)

Activity limitations and participation restrictions

Self-care (eg, inability to put on stockings due to limited knee ROM)

Domestic life (eg, inability to load dishwasher due to di†culty bending)

Education life (eg, di†culty getting school materials in and out of backpack)

Work life (eg, inability to cut hair due to stiတ and painful တngers, inability as a dancer to assume
en pointe position due to limited ankle ROM)

Community, social, and civic life (eg, inability to rollerblade due to knee pain and swelling,
inability to volunteer in hospital due to foot stiတness on standing)

Examples of What Tests and Measures May Characterize and Quantify:

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4/7/2016 Range of Motion — Guide to Phys. Therapist Prac.
Functional ROM (eg, observations, squat testing, toe touch tests) Speciတc Tests and Measures in
PTNow

Joint active and passive movement (eg, goniometry, inclinometry, observations, photographic
assessments, technology-assisted assessments, videographic assessments) Speciတc Tests and
Measures in PTNow

Muscle length, soft tissue extensibility, and တexibility (eg, contracture tests, goniometry,
inclinometry, ligamentous tests, linear measurement, multisegment တexibility tests, palpation)
Speciတc Tests and Measures in PTNow

Examples of Data-Gathering Tools:

Back and neck ROM devices

Camera and photographs

Cervical protractors

Flexible rulers

Goniometers

Inclinometers

Observations

Palpation

Scoliometers

Tape measures

Technology-assisted analysis systems

Video cameras and video recordings

Examples of Data Used in Documentation:

Descriptions of functional or multisegmental movement

Muscle, joint, and soft tissue characteristics

Osteokinematic ROM

Last updated August 1, 2014.

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