Joint Movements & ROM
Anatomy & Physiology
Overview
In this lesson, we introduce anatomical terminology for joint movement and the normal ranges of motion for various joints.
Objective
Be familiar with foundational terminology related to joint movements, factors that affect joint mobility, and the normal ranges of motion for various joints.
What You'll Get
Define Range of Motion (ROM). Explain who defines ROM standards, and why. Name and describe the movements of each of these joints: ankles, knees, hips, spine, wrists, elbows, shoulders, scapula and neck. Give the established normal ranges of motion for each.
Vocabulary
active ROM (AROM), passive ROM (PROM), range of motion (ROM), ROM standards or norms
- ACTIVE ROM (AROM) — A joint’s range of movement determined by “voluntary movement” (without any external aid)
- PASSIVE ROM (PROM) — A joint’s range of movement that occurs from an external force helping to move the body
- RANGE OF MOTION (ROM) — The degree of movement that occurs at a joint, measured in degrees of a circle
- ROM — Abbreviation for range of motion
- ROM STANDARDS OR NORMS — Ideal range of movement for joints as defined by specialists in orthopedics, physical therapy and related fields
ROM & ROM Standards
ROM Defined
The degree of movement that occurs at each joint is called its range of motion (ROM).
- ROM is measured in degrees of a circle.
- Active Range of Motion (AROM) is determined without any external aid.
- Passive Range of Motion (PROM) occurs from an external force helping to move the body.
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