Range of Motion Project

Range of motion refers to the direction and amount of movement of a joint. Each part of the body has a limit of motion. Abnormal limitations may suggest an injury or structural problem within a joint, preventing full range of motion. Injuries limiting range of motion can include sprains, strains, dislocations and fractures. Structural problems that can damage the joint, such as arthritis, can also limit motion.

Shoulder Range of Motion

• Normal shoulder movement above the head allows for proper arm function.

  Range of motion of the shoulder allows for full movement of the arm. Normal range of motion of the shoulder includes movement in a straight plane and movement with rotational components.

  Shoulder extension -- movement in a straight plane from your side to above your head in front of you -- should measure 180 degrees.

  Movement out to the side towards your ear, or shoulder abduction, includes some rotation and should measure 180 degrees.

  Shoulder extension, or moving your arm behind you, should measure 60 degrees.

  Proper mobility of the shoulder with rotation includes raising your bent elbow to shoulder height and rotating lower arm towards the hips and back towards ear, medial and lateral rotation respectively, and should measure between 70 and 90 degrees.

Elbow and Wrist Range of Motion

• Elbow should bend so hand touches shoulder.

  Normal range of motion of the elbow and wrist allow for proper functioning of the lower section of the arm and hand.

  Movement of the elbow should include full extension, or straightening of the elbow. Elbow flexion, or bending of the elbow, should measure 150 degrees.

  Movement of the wrist should include extension, or bending the wrist up towards shoulders, when arms are out in front of you and palms are facing down. This angle should measure 70 degrees.

  Wrist flexion, or bending wrist down towards the feet when arms are out in front of you and palms are facing down, should measure 80 degrees.

  Proper wrist movement should also include side to side movements, called radial and ulnar deviations. These measurements should be between 20 and 30 degrees.

Hip Range of Motion

• Hip and knee flexion is necessary for optimal function of the legs.

  Normal hip range of motion allows for proper functioning of the legs in a straight plane and with rotation.

  Movement of the knee to chest, or flexion, should measure 120 degrees.

  Movement of the leg behind you, or hip extension, should measure 30 degrees.

  Hip abduction, or movement out to the side, should measure 45 degrees, whereas movement across the body, or adduction, should measure 30 degrees.

  Movement with medial and lateral rotation is measured by bending knee to 90 degrees and then rotating lower leg side to side, 45 degrees each.

Knee and Ankle Range of Motion

• Movement of the ankle allows for proper walking.

  Both the knee and ankle require proper range of motion to maximize function.

  Movement of the knee should include full extension and flexion, or straightening and bending. Knee flexion should measure 130 degrees.

  Ankle flexion, or dorsiflexion where you bring the toes up, should measure 20 degrees.

  Ankle extension, or plantarflexion where you point the toes down, should measure 50 degrees.

  The ankle should also be able to rotate side to side, called inversion and eversion, about 5 degrees. The ankle should also be free to move in a circular pattern unrestricted.