Range of Motion & Stretching Flashcards
Mobility
ability of a body segment to move or be moved
Exercises that might be prescribed to maintain mobility or address mobility impairments
ROM or stretching exercises
2 types of mobility
joint mobility
functional mobility
Joint mobility
capacity of a joint to be moved or influenced by the structure and integrity of the joint surface along with soft tissue characteristics
arthrokinematic motion: motion occurring at joint surfaces
Functional mobility
ability to initiate and execute motor tasks to move in one’s environment
What influences functional mobility?
the patient, task and environment
Range of motion (ROM)
amount of motion a segment moves
2 ways ROM can be assessed
visual assessment or objectively measured using a goniometer or inclinometer
Available ROM
amount of motion a person demonstrates
3 categories of available ROM
normal, impaired or functional
Normal ROM
ability of a body segment to move or be moved through the full amount of motion at a particular joint
generally accepted values for the full amount of ROM at a particular joint
What are normal values of ROM based on?
the average amount of ROM in a healthy population
Impaired, decreased, limited or restricted ROM
less than normal range of motion
Functional ROM
ability of a body segment to move or be moved through an adequate range of motion needed for functional activities
Flexibility
ability to move a single joint or a series of joints through an unrestricted, pain-free ROM
Flexibility is influenced by what 2 factors?
extensibility of soft tissue(s) that surround or cross the joints
joint integrity
The amount of flexibility a patient needs depends on…
the functional activity
What must support flexibility in order to have optimal function?
strength, endurance and neuromuscular control
2 types of flexibility
dynamic flexibility
passive flexibility
Dynamic flexibility
another term for AROM
the extent active muscle contraction can cause a body segment to move through its ROM
Passive flexibility
another term for PROM
the extent a bony segment can be moved passively through its available ROM
What is required in order to have good active flexibility?
good passive flexibility
BUT having good passive flexibility does not ensure good active flexibility
2 main joint mobility deficits
hypermobility and hypermobility
Hypomobility
restricted or limited motion at a single joint or series of joints
Hypermobility
ability to move a joint beyond the normal ROM
excessive motion at a single or series of joints
Beighton criteria
general tool to measure joint looseness (laxity) or hypermobility
What is the classification of a contracture?
a joint hypomobility deficit
Contracture
loss of full PROM due to joint, muscle or other soft tissue limitations or alterations
loss of PROM ranges from minimal, severe or complete where two bones are fused together
there is no definite point where the loss of PROM is considered a contracture
Contraction
neuromuscular process that leads to tension development in muscles due to the interaction of actin and myosin (proteins)
3 ways contractures are named
by the action of the shortened muscle
by the motion caused by the shortened tissue(s)
motion opposite to the motion limited
What does the type of contracture influence?
whether ROM or stretching is needed
the parameters of exercise
Myostatic contracture
musculotendinous (MT) unit is shortened causing a significant loss of ROM
there is NO muscle pathology
Pseudomyostatic contracture
muscles appear to be constantly contracted due to a CNS lesion or response to pain/injury
Arthrogenic contracture
due to a joint pathology
Periarticular contracture
decreased extensibility of ligaments or the joint capsule
Fibrotic contracture
connective tissue changes (excessive deposition of ECM components, collagen)
may result in a permanent loss of extensibility
ROM as a therapeutic exercise
planned, structured and repetitive movement of a segment within an unrestricted pattern
Planned
designed in advance
Structured
activity has an organization, pattern or parameters
Repetitive
activity is done more than once
When ROM is used as a therapeutic exercise, how should patients move within the unrestricted pattern?
only move until the point of tissue resistance and NOT beyond (that would be stretching)
patients should not feel any tension, pull or stretch
3 types of ROM
PROM, AROM and AAROM
PROM
movement of a body segment within an unrestricted pattern or ROM that is produced entirely by an external force
little to no muscle activity because the external force should produce all of the movement
assess AFTER AROM
AROM
movement of a body segment within an unrestricted pattern or ROM that is produced entirely by the contraction of muscles that cross the joint
assess BEFORE PROM
AAROM
movement of a body segment within an unrestricted pattern or ROM that is produced by both the contraction of muscles AND an external force
Indications of PROM
patient has a health condition where active motion might negatively affect the healing process (when acute inflammation is present or in the event of contractile tissue repair)
patient is not able to actively move a body segment (not enough strength or force)
patient has poor understanding of the desired movement pattern (can be used as a method of education)
Goals of PROM
maintain joint mobility and soft tissue extensibility
maintain movement awareness
minimize and prevent contractures
assist blood circulation, vascular dynamics and synovial fluid movement
minimize pain