PASSIVE MOVEMENTS

Question 1

UL: Shoulder flexion

Answer 1

• Supine arm supported on plinth
• Thumb grip for hand
• Support arm posteriorly then change grip for elevation
• 90 degree angle then face palms out
• Long lever
• Sagittal plane, Frontal axis

Question 2

UL: Shoulder Abd/Add

Answer 2

• Supine
• Short lever
• Frontal plane, Sagittal axis

Question 3

UL: Shoulder Med/Lat Rotation

Answer 3

• Supine
• Elbow flexed (in abd. or neutral)
• Transverse plane, Vertical axis

Question 4

UL: Elbow (radial ulnar)

Answer 4

• Supine
• Flexion/Extension - Sagittal plane/ frontal axis
• Pronation/Supination - Transverse plane/ Vertical axis

Question 5

UL: Wrist and Hand

Answer 5

• Supine
• Flex/ext of wrist
• Flex/ext of fingers and thumb
• Elbow flexed, forearm in mid-position
• Sagittal plane/ frontal axis

Question 6

UL: Shoulder extension

Answer 6

• Side lying
• Short lever
• Sagittal plane/frontal axis

Question 7

USES OF RELAXED PASSIVE MOVEMENTS

Answer 7

• Assessment of a joint
• Maintain or increase joint range
• Maintain extensibility of muscle, tendon and ligaments
• Provide proprioceptive stimulation
• Prevent soft tissue shortening

Question 8

Principles of application of relaxed passive movements

Answer 8

• Relaxation of body part
• Fixation
• Support
• Range
• Speed and duration
• Sequence
• Traction
• Compression

Question 9

Precautions of Passive Movements

Answer 9

• Careful handling due to skin damage, thin skin, burns, flail limb, paralysis
• Should be pain-free
• Care around intra-venous infusion sites

Question 10

Contraindications of passive movements

Answer 10

• Recent fractures
• Severe soft tissue damage preventing safe use of passive movements
• Compromised circulation (Diabetics)

Question 11

LL: Flexion/ Extension of Hip and Knee

Answer 11

• Supine
• Using heel grip with thigh/knee supported posteriorly
• Change grip to anterior aspect of tibia for full flex
• Sagittal plane, Coronal (frontal) axis

Question 12

LL: Hip Lateral and Medial Rotation

Answer 12

• Supine
• Movement performed with hip and knee flexed to 90 degrees
• Transverse plane / Vertical axis

Question 13

LL: Hip Abd/Add

Answer 13

• Supine
• Demonstrate movement first with leg extended
• Demonstrate alternative movements with hip and knee flexed combined with rotation
• Transverse plane/ Vertical axis

Question 14

Trunk Rotation

Answer 14

• Crook lying
• Facilitate rolling of knees from side to side
• Transverse plane / Vertical Axis

Question 15

LL: Hip Flexion and Extension

Answer 15

• Side lying
• Knee flexed with support thigh and lower leg
• Emphasis on extension
• Stabilise pelvis
• Sagittal axis, Frontal axis

Question 16

LL: Foot Dorsiflexion / TA Stretch

Answer 16

• Supine
• Using heel grip and knee extended, full stretch into DF
• Place pillow under leg
• Hand placed over dorsum/plantar aspect of foot to perform movements
• Sagittal plane/ Frontal axis

Question 17

LL: Plantarflexion and Dorsiflexion

Answer 17

• Thumb and fingers grip
• Stability just above ankle joint
• Movements can be performed in neutral
• Sagittal plane/Frontal axis

Question 18

WHAT ARE PASSIVE MOVEMENTS?

Answer 18

Movements carried out through the normal anatomical range and direction of movement, whilst the muscles are inactive or voluntarily relaxed.

Question 19

WHEN WOULD YOU USE PASSIVE MOVEMENTS?

Answer 19

• (Dependent on context) Assessment or a treatment
• Used when active movement is impossible or difficult for a patient (eg. muscle paralysis after a stroke, patients who are heavily sedated on ITU).
• When active movements are contraindicated.

Question 20

FREQUENCY OF APPLICATION

Answer 20

Dependent on purpose and patient presentation.
Eg. once or twice to assess joint ROM
Eg. unconscious patient needs every joint moving a few times per day
Eg. post joint replacement use machines that produce continuous passive movement (could be for hours a day).