Week 5: ROM

Goniometry

- derived from two greek words: gonta (angle) and metron (measure)
- refers to measurement of angles

Arthrokinematics

refer to the movement of joint surfaces.

Rolling

rotatory motion similar to the rolling of the tire on the road.

Sliding/Gliding

sliding of one joint surface over another.

Osteokinematics

refer to the gross movement of the shafts of the bone rather than the movement of joint surfaces.

Sagittal Plane

- divides the body into right and left halves
- motion: flexion and extension

Frontal/Coronal Plane

- divides the body anterior and posterior
- motion: abduction and adduction

Transverse Plane

- divides the body into superior and inferior
- motion: rotations

Range of Motion

- refers to the arc of motion that occurs at a joint
- starting position: anatomical position

Active Range of Motion

the arc of motion attained by a subject during unassisted voluntary joint of motion.

Passive Range of Motion

the arc of motion attained by an examiner without assistance from the subject.

End Feel

the feeling that is experienced by an examiner at the end of passive ROM.

Soft End Feel

soft tissue approximation

Firm End Feel

muscular, capsular, and ligamentous stretch.

Hard End Feel

bone contacting bone.

Abnormal Soft End Feel

- occurs sooner or later in the ROM than is usual or in a joint that normally has a firm or hard end-feel
- feels boggy

Abnormal Firm End Feel

occurs sooner or later in the ROM than is usual or in a joint that normally has a soft or hard end-feel.

Abnormal Hard End Feel

- occurs sooner or later in the ROM than is usual or in a joint that normally has a soft or firm end-feel
- a bony grating or bony block is felt

Empty End Feel

- no real end-feel because pain prevent reaching end of ROM
- no resistance is felt except for patient's protective muscle splinting or muscle spasm

Hypomobility

- decrease in passive ROM less than the normal value of the value of the joint
- limitation is due to: passive shortening of joint capsules, ligament, muscles, fascia, and skin or inflammation

Hypermobility

- increase in passive ROM that exceeds the normal value of the joint
- due to laxity of soft tissue structure such as ligaments. capsules, and muscles

Positioning

- refers to the positions of the body that were recommended for obtaining goniometric measurements
- place the joint in starting position of zero degrees
- permit a complete ROM
- provide stabilization for proximal joint segment

Stabilization

- testing position that helps stabilize the body of the subject's and the proximal joint segment
- isolating the motion to one joint helps ensure accurate measurement

Body
Stationary Arm
Moving Arm

parts of the goniometer

Body

resembles a protractor and may form a half (0-180) or full (0-360) circle.

Stationary Arm

- structural part
- cannot be moved independently from the body

Moving Arm

attached to the center of the body.

Inclinometers

- gravity-dependent goniometer
- uses gravity's effect on pointers and fluid levels to measure joint position and motion

Goniometer Alignment

- refers to the alignment of the arms of the goniometer
- uses anatomical landmarks to accurately visualize joint segments

Proximal Arm

aligned with the proximal segment of the joint

Distal Arm

aligned with distal segment of the joint.

Fulcrum

placed over the approximate joint location of the axis of motion the joint being measured.