Limited range of motion
Key points
- Limited range of motion is a reduction in the normal distance and direction through which a joint can move.
- Range of motion is the natural distance and direction of movement of a joint.
- Home Care Your health care provider may recommend range of motion exercises, designed to increase muscle strength and flexibility.
- Visit your health care provider if a joint does not move fully and easily in its normal manner.
Definition
Limited range of motion is a reduction in the normal distance and direction through which a joint can move.
Considerations
Range of motion is the natural distance and direction of movement of a joint. Limited range of motion is a relative term indicating that a specific joint or body part cannot move through its normal and full range of motion.
Motion may be limited by a mechanical problem within the joint that prevents it from moving beyond a certain point, by swelling of tissue around the joint, by spasticity of the muscles, or by pain.
Diseases that prevent a joint from fully extending may, over time, produce contracture deformities, causing permanent inability to extend the joint beyond a certain fixed position.
Common Causes
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Fracture of elbow (olecranon process)
- Fractures through most joint
- Dislocation (most joints)
- Radial head dislocation (nursemaids elbow), extremely common
- Congenital torticollis
- Septic joint (especially septic hip)
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
- Syphilis
- Mucopolysaccharide storage diseases
o Hurler syndrome
o Scheie syndromeo o Morquio syndrome
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
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