Range of Motion Overview & Exercises
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What is Passive Range of Motion?
What is Passive Range of Motion?
Passive range of motion is the movement applied to a joint solely by another person or persons or a passive motion machine. When passive range of motion is applied, the joint of an individual receiving exercise is completely relaxed while the outside force moves the body part, such as a leg or arm, throughout the available range.
Passive range of motion is the movement applied to a joint solely by another person or persons or a passive motion machine. When passive range of motion is applied, the joint of an individual receiving exercise is completely relaxed while the outside force moves the body part, such as a leg or arm, throughout the available range.
Why Are Range of Motion Exercises Important?
Why Are Range of Motion Exercises Important?
Range of motion exercises are performed to help maintain flexibility and mobility at the joint on which it is being performed. In individuals who cannot perform active ROM exercises, passive ROM exercises can be applied by another individual. Passive ROM exercise help to reduce stiffness of a joint, helping to maintain joint mobility and elasticity of the muscles. Exercises help to increase blood flow that allows for better nutrition to the cartilage, and they can help prevent contractures (freezing of the joint) from lack of movement. Contractures, or freezing of the joint, may may cause pain and interfere with other physical activities such as standing or walking.
Range of motion exercises are performed to help maintain flexibility and mobility at the joint on which it is being performed. In individuals who cannot perform active ROM exercises, passive ROM exercises can be applied by another individual. Passive ROM exercise help to reduce stiffness of a joint, helping to maintain joint mobility and elasticity of the muscles. Exercises help to increase blood flow that allows for better nutrition to the cartilage, and they can help prevent contractures (freezing of the joint) from lack of movement. Contractures, or freezing of the joint, may may cause pain and interfere with other physical activities such as standing or walking.
Passive Range of Motion Exercises
Passive Range of Motion Exercises
Caregiver Passive Range of Motion Exercises
Caregiver Passive Range of Motion Exercises
General Instructions
General Instructions
1. Move only to the point of resistance. Do not force the movement.
1. Move only to the point of resistance. Do not force the movement.
2. Support joints to prevent excessive motion. Move in a straight line
2. Support joints to prevent excessive motion. Move in a straight line
from starting position to ending position.
from starting position to ending position.
3. Move slowly, avoiding rapid or abrupt motions.
3. Move slowly, avoiding rapid or abrupt motions.
For patients with increased tone or spasticity
For patients with increased tone or spasticity
1. Avoid putting pressure on the ball of the foot or palm of the hand. Pressure on these areas will produce abnormal, reflexive movement.
1. Avoid putting pressure on the ball of the foot or palm of the hand. Pressure on these areas will produce abnormal, reflexive movement.
2. Move slowly and consistently. Do not start and stop mid-range. If the muscle seems especially tight, slowly pull against it. Gentle continuous stretching on a muscle will relax it.
2. Move slowly and consistently. Do not start and stop mid-range. If the muscle seems especially tight, slowly pull against it. Gentle continuous stretching on a muscle will relax it.
3. If the initial movement sets off clonus (a rapid movement at the joint, such as a "toe-tapping" movement at the ankle), or if the movement is difficult to initiate, slightly bend the next joint. For example, to help relax the ankle muscle, bend the knee; to relax the wrist, bend the elbow.
3. If the initial movement sets off clonus (a rapid movement at the joint, such as a "toe-tapping" movement at the ankle), or if the movement is difficult to initiate, slightly bend the next joint. For example, to help relax the ankle muscle, bend the knee; to relax the wrist, bend the elbow.
Shoulder Flexion
Shoulder Flexion
1. Start with the patient lying face up.
1. Start with the patient lying face up.
2. Support the patient's elbow with one hand and grasp the wrist with your other hand.
2. Support the patient's elbow with one hand and grasp the wrist with your other hand.
3. Slowly lift the whole arm up over the patient's head.
3. Slowly lift the whole arm up over the patient's head.
4. Slowly lower the arm back to the patient's side.
4. Slowly lower the arm back to the patient's side.
shoulder flexion.pdfShoulder Abduction/Adduction
Shoulder Abduction/Adduction
1. Start with the patient lying face up.
1. Start with the patient lying face up.
2. Support the patient's elbow with one hand and grasp the wrist and hand with your other hand.
2. Support the patient's elbow with one hand and grasp the wrist and hand with your other hand.
3. Keeping the elbow straight, move the arm out to the side away from the patient's body.
3. Keeping the elbow straight, move the arm out to the side away from the patient's body.
4. Move the arm up toward the patient's ear, keeping the elbow straight.
4. Move the arm up toward the patient's ear, keeping the elbow straight.
shoulder abduction_aduction.pdfHorizontal Adduction/Abduction
Horizontal Adduction/Abduction
1. Start with the patient lying face up.
1. Start with the patient lying face up.
2. Beginning with the right arm, support the patient's elbow with one hand, and grasp the wrist and hand with your other hand.
2. Beginning with the right arm, support the patient's elbow with one hand, and grasp the wrist and hand with your other hand.
3. Bring the arm across the patient's body toward the opposite shoulder, keeping it straight.
3. Bring the arm across the patient's body toward the opposite shoulder, keeping it straight.
4. Repeat the procedure for the left arm.
4. Repeat the procedure for the left arm.
horizontal ab_aduction.pdfInternal/External Rotation
Internal/External Rotation
1. Start with the patient lying face up, arm at a right angle to the body.
1. Start with the patient lying face up, arm at a right angle to the body.
2. Bend the patient's elbow 90 degrees, so the hand points up at the ceiling.
2. Bend the patient's elbow 90 degrees, so the hand points up at the ceiling.
3. Support the patient's wrist and hand with one hand, and hold the elbow with your other hand.
3. Support the patient's wrist and hand with one hand, and hold the elbow with your other hand.
4. Gently rotate the patient's hand down toward the feet, and then up toward the head.
4. Gently rotate the patient's hand down toward the feet, and then up toward the head.
5. Repeat on the patient's other side.
5. Repeat on the patient's other side.
internalexternal rotation.pdfElbow Flexion and Extension
Elbow Flexion and Extension
1. Start with the patient lying face up, one arm straight and lying beside the body.
1. Start with the patient lying face up, one arm straight and lying beside the body.
2. Support the patient's elbow with one hand and grip the wrist and hand with your other hand.
2. Support the patient's elbow with one hand and grip the wrist and hand with your other hand.
3. Bend the patient's elbow, bringing the arm up to the point of resistance.
3. Bend the patient's elbow, bringing the arm up to the point of resistance.
4. Slowly straighten the elbow and return to the starting position.
4. Slowly straighten the elbow and return to the starting position.
elbowflexionextension.pdfFinger Flexion/Extension
Finger Flexion/Extension
1. Start with the patient lying face up.
1. Start with the patient lying face up.
2. Fold the patient's fingers into a fist.
2. Fold the patient's fingers into a fist.
3. Straighten out the patient's fingers and spread them apart.
3. Straighten out the patient's fingers and spread them apart.
fingerflexionextension.pdfWrist Supination/Pronation
Wrist Supination/Pronation
1. Start with the patient lying face up, one arm at a right angle to the body.
1. Start with the patient lying face up, one arm at a right angle to the body.
2. Bend the patient's elbow 90 degrees.
2. Bend the patient's elbow 90 degrees.
3. Support the patient's elbow and grasp the wrist with your index finger and thumb.
3. Support the patient's elbow and grasp the wrist with your index finger and thumb.
4. Twist the patient's hand so that the palm moves toward the patient's face, then away from it.
4. Twist the patient's hand so that the palm moves toward the patient's face, then away from it.
Wrist Supinationpronation.pdfWrist Flexion/Extension
Wrist Flexion/Extension
1. Start with the patient lying face up, one arm at a right angle to the body.
1. Start with the patient lying face up, one arm at a right angle to the body.
2. Grasp the patient's forearm with one hand and the patient's hand with your other hand.
2. Grasp the patient's forearm with one hand and the patient's hand with your other hand.
3. Move the patient's hand back and forth, bending the wrist.
3. Move the patient's hand back and forth, bending the wrist.
wrist flexionextension.pdfHip Flexion/Extension
Hip Flexion/Extension
1. Start with the patient lying face up.
1. Start with the patient lying face up.
2. Place one hand under the patient's knee and the other under the patient's heel.
2. Place one hand under the patient's knee and the other under the patient's heel.
3. Move the whole leg up toward the patient's chest, bending it at the hip and knee.
3. Move the whole leg up toward the patient's chest, bending it at the hip and knee.
4. Return the patient's leg to the straight position.
4. Return the patient's leg to the straight position.
hipflexionextension.pdfHip Abduction/Adduction
Hip Abduction/Adduction
1. Start with the patient lying face up.
1. Start with the patient lying face up.
2. Place one hand under the patient's knee, and the other under the patient's heel.
2. Place one hand under the patient's knee, and the other under the patient's heel.
3. Keeping the patient's leg straight, pull it away from the midline of the body until you feel resistance.
3. Keeping the patient's leg straight, pull it away from the midline of the body until you feel resistance.
4. Move the patient's leg back to midline.
4. Move the patient's leg back to midline.
hip abductionadd.pdfDorsiflexion/Plantarflexion
Dorsiflexion/Plantarflexion
1. Start with the patient lying face up.
1. Start with the patient lying face up.
2. Grasp both edges of the patient's foot, below the ball of the foot.
2. Grasp both edges of the patient's foot, below the ball of the foot.
3. Pull the patient's foot back so the toes are pointing toward the ceiling.
3. Pull the patient's foot back so the toes are pointing toward the ceiling.
4. Push the patient's foot down so the toes are pointing toward the wall.
4. Push the patient's foot down so the toes are pointing toward the wall.
dorsiflexionplantarflexion.pdfToe Flexion/Extension
Toe Flexion/Extension
1. Start with the patient lying face up.
1. Start with the patient lying face up.
2. Support the patient's foot near the ankle with one hand.
2. Support the patient's foot near the ankle with one hand.
3. Place the palm of your other hand on the patient's toes and curl them down toward the heel.
3. Place the palm of your other hand on the patient's toes and curl them down toward the heel.
4. Place your palm underneath the patient's toes, and push them up toward the knee.
4. Place your palm underneath the patient's toes, and push them up toward the knee.
toeflexionextension.pdfFoot Inversion/Eversion
Foot Inversion/Eversion
1. Start with the patient lying face up.
1. Start with the patient lying face up.
2. Grasp both sides of the patient's foot with your hands.
2. Grasp both sides of the patient's foot with your hands.
3. Push down on one side while pulling up on the other.
3. Push down on one side while pulling up on the other.
4. Reverse the motion.
4. Reverse the motion.
inversioneversion.pdfHip Extension, Side Lying
Hip Extension, Side Lying
1. Start with the patient lying face to the wall.
1. Start with the patient lying face to the wall.
2. Place one of your hands under the patient's calf to support the leg.
2. Place one of your hands under the patient's calf to support the leg.
3. Place the other hand on the patient's pelvis.
3. Place the other hand on the patient's pelvis.
4. Bend the patient's leg slightly at the knee.
4. Bend the patient's leg slightly at the knee.
5. Push the patient's leg backward toward the buttocks until you meet resistance.
5. Push the patient's leg backward toward the buttocks until you meet resistance.
6. Make sure the patient's body stays forward and only the leg moves back.
6. Make sure the patient's body stays forward and only the leg moves back.
hipextsidelying.pdfShoulder Hyperextension, Side Lying
Shoulder Hyperextension, Side Lying
1. Start with the patient lying face to the wall.
1. Start with the patient lying face to the wall.
2. Place one of your hands under the patient's forearm below the elbow.
2. Place one of your hands under the patient's forearm below the elbow.
3. Place the other hand on top of the patient's shoulder.
3. Place the other hand on top of the patient's shoulder.
4. Bend the patient's elbow 90 degrees.
4. Bend the patient's elbow 90 degrees.
5. Keeping the patient's elbow bent, push the arm back until you meet resistance.
5. Keeping the patient's elbow bent, push the arm back until you meet resistance.
shoulderhypersidelying.pdfTrunk Rotation, Side Lying
Trunk Rotation, Side Lying
1. Start with the patient lying face to the wall.
1. Start with the patient lying face to the wall.
2. Place one of your hands on the patient's shoulder.
2. Place one of your hands on the patient's shoulder.
3. Place the other hand on the patient's hip.
3. Place the other hand on the patient's hip.
4. Pull the patient's shoulder toward you, and push the hip away from you.
4. Pull the patient's shoulder toward you, and push the hip away from you.
5. Reverse the action, pushing the patient's shoulder away and pulling the hip toward you.
5. Reverse the action, pushing the patient's shoulder away and pulling the hip toward you.
trunkrotationsidelying.pdfTrunk Extension
Trunk Extension
1. Start with the patient lying face up, with arms folded across the chest.
1. Start with the patient lying face up, with arms folded across the chest.
2. Fold a bed sheet or other long cloth lengthwise twice, to a width of about eight inches.
2. Fold a bed sheet or other long cloth lengthwise twice, to a width of about eight inches.
3. Slide the sheet under the patient's lower back area.
3. Slide the sheet under the patient's lower back area.
4. Stand above the patient with your feet on either side of the patient's pelvis, and your knees slightly bent. Hold one end of the sheet in each hand.
4. Stand above the patient with your feet on either side of the patient's pelvis, and your knees slightly bent. Hold one end of the sheet in each hand.
5. Gently pull up on the sheet, lifting the patient's back two or three inches off the mat.
5. Gently pull up on the sheet, lifting the patient's back two or three inches off the mat.
6. Lift the patient by straightening your knees. Do not try to lift with your back.
6. Lift the patient by straightening your knees. Do not try to lift with your back.
7. Lift only as far as comfortable for the patient.
7. Lift only as far as comfortable for the patient.
trunkextension.pdfTrunk Rotation, Back Lying
Trunk Rotation, Back Lying
1. Start with the patient lying face up, with arms relaxed at the sides.
1. Start with the patient lying face up, with arms relaxed at the sides.
2. Bend the patient's legs at the hips and knees, and place the feet flat on the bed or supporting surface.
2. Bend the patient's legs at the hips and knees, and place the feet flat on the bed or supporting surface.
3. Grasp the patient's knees and slowly move them from side to side, going only to the point of resistance.
3. Grasp the patient's knees and slowly move them from side to side, going only to the point of resistance.
trunkrotationbacklying.pdfHamstring Stretch
Hamstring Stretch
1. Start with the patient lying face up, with legs straight.
1. Start with the patient lying face up, with legs straight.
2. Kneel beside the patient's leg and place one hand under the ankle.
2. Kneel beside the patient's leg and place one hand under the ankle.
3. Place your other hand on top of the patient's knee.
3. Place your other hand on top of the patient's knee.
4. Lift the patient's leg straight into the air, and reposition yourself to place the ankle on your shoulder.
4. Lift the patient's leg straight into the air, and reposition yourself to place the ankle on your shoulder.
5. Place both hands on top of the patient's knee.
5. Place both hands on top of the patient's knee.
6. Lean forward to lift the patient's leg higher into a stretch.
6. Lean forward to lift the patient's leg higher into a stretch.
7. Stretch the patient's leg until you meet with resistance, or the patient complains or shows signs of pain.
7. Stretch the patient's leg until you meet with resistance, or the patient complains or shows signs of pain.
8. Hold for 10 seconds, then lower the patient's leg and relax. Do the same for the other leg.
8. Hold for 10 seconds, then lower the patient's leg and relax. Do the same for the other leg.
hamstringstretch.pdfPage updated
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