Reduced Range of Motion
May 9th, 2019
Assessing Range of Motion
Passive movement is used to assess the objective range of motion of a joint.
How to Assess
- Ask the patient to relax, and move their joint. Note the range of motion and whether it is limited by pain, swelling or stiffness. Note any crepitus.
Causes of Limited Range of Motion
- Trauma - dislocation, fracture
- Arthropathy - osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, crystal arthropathy, seronegative arthropathy, haemarthrosis, loose intra-articular body
- Soft tissue pathology - tendinitis, bursitis, menisceal tear, ligamentous tear, fibrous adhesions
- Muscle tightness
- Prolonged joint immobilisation
- Compartment syndrome
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