Joint Range of Motion Measurements for Upper Extremity

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to the measurement of joint range of motion in the upper extremities.

Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ) Flexion

Flexion at the Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ) refers to the movement that raises the arm forward and upward in the sagittal plane. This motion is crucial for various activities such as reaching for objects above head level.

• Moving Arm: The moving arm is aligned with the lateral aspect of the humerus, indicating the direction of arm movement.

• Stationary Arm: The stationary arm is aligned with the mid-axillary line of the thorax, serving as a reference point for movement.

• Fulcrum: The fulcrum is located at the center of the humeral head, allowing the arm to pivot effectively during the movement.

Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ) Extension

Extension at the Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ) involves moving the arm backward from a flexed position, commonly observed in actions such as reaching behind one’s back or lying in a supine position with arms at the side.

• Moving Arm: The moving arm is aligned with the lateral aspect of the humerus.

• Stationary Arm: The stationary arm aligns with the mid-axillary line of the thorax.

• Fulcrum: The fulcrum is located at the center of the humeral head.

Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ) Abduction

Abduction at the Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ) refers to lifting the arm sideways away from the body. This movement is essential for actions such as raising arms to the side to signal or stretch.

• Moving Arm: The moving arm tracks along the humerus.

• Stationary Arm: The stationary arm follows the mid-axillary line, providing a baseline for movement.

• Fulcrum: The fulcrum is located at the center of the humeral head.

Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ) Internal Rotation

Internal rotation of the Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ) encompasses turning the arm inward towards the body. This movement is crucial for various functional tasks such as reaching towards the back or performing certain sports movements.

• Moving Arm: The moving arm aligns with the forearm, indicating retraction into the body.

• Stationary Arm: The stationary arm is maintained perpendicular to the thorax.

• Fulcrum: The fulcrum is positioned at the center of the humeral head.

Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ) External Rotation

External rotation at the Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ) describes the motion of turning the arm outward away from the body. This is important for actions such as throwing or reaching to the side.

• Moving Arm: The moving arm aligns with the forearm, indicating a motion outward.

• Stationary Arm: The stationary arm is kept perpendicular to the thorax.

• Fulcrum: The fulcrum is located at the center of the humeral head.

Elbow Flexion

Flexion at the elbow joint involves bending the arm to decrease the angle between the upper arm and forearm, which is necessary for tasks such as lifting a cup to drink.

• Moving Arm: The moving arm is aligned with the forearm, showing motion toward the shoulder.

• Stationary Arm: The stationary arm corresponds with the humerus, maintaining a fixed position.

• Fulcrum: The fulcrum is positioned at the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.

Elbow Extension

Extension at the elbow joint involves straightening the arm to increase the angle at the elbow, a movement essential for reaching and pushing. The angle increases from a bent position to a straightened position.

• Moving Arm: The moving arm follows the line of the forearm.

• Stationary Arm: The stationary arm remains parallel to the humerus.

• Fulcrum: The fulcrum is located at the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.

Forearm Supination

Supination of the forearm is the motion that rotates the forearm, allowing the palm to face upward. It is vital for actions that require gripping or holding items in the palm.

• Moving Arm: The moving arm is aligned with the forearm.

• Stationary Arm: The stationary arm remains perpendicular to the body's midline.

• Fulcrum: The fulcrum is located at the head of the radius.

Forearm Pronation

Pronation refers to the rotation of the forearm so that the palm faces downward. This motion is important for various activities, including typing and using tools.

• Moving Arm: The moving arm aligns with the forearm.

• Stationary Arm: The stationary arm remains perpendicular to the body's midline.

• Fulcrum: The fulcrum is centered at the head of the radius.

Wrist Flexion

Wrist flexion describes the action of bending the wrist joint forward towards the palm, critical for grasping and controlling objects.

• Moving Arm: The moving arm follows the line of the metacarpal bones towards the palm.

• Stationary Arm: The stationary arm aligns with the forearm, providing a reference for the angle.

• Fulcrum: The fulcrum is located over the lateral aspect of the wrist.

Wrist Extension

Extension at the wrist joint involves bending the wrist backward, away from the palm. This is important for movements such as reaching backward or releasing objects.

• Moving Arm: The moving arm follows the metacarpal bones.

• Stationary Arm: The stationary arm is aligned with the forearm.

• Fulcrum: The fulcrum is positioned over the lateral aspect of the wrist.

Radial Deviation

Radial deviation refers to the movement of the wrist towards the thumb side. This motion is used in various everyday activities, such as opening a door.

• Moving Arm: The moving arm aligns with the thumb’s metacarpal bone.

• Stationary Arm: The stationary arm is aligned with the midline of the forearm.

• Fulcrum: The fulcrum is positioned over the dorsal aspect of the wrist.

Ulnar Deviation

Ulnar deviation describes the wrist's movement towards the little finger side, often utilized when playing certain musical instruments or gripping.

• Moving Arm: The moving arm aligns with the metacarpal bone of the little finger.

• Stationary Arm: The stationary arm is aligned with the midline of the forearm.

• Fulcrum: The fulcrum is positioned over the dorsal aspect of the wrist.

MCP Flexion

MCP flexion refers to bending at the metacarpophalangeal joint, pivotal in gripping and grasping objects effectively, like holding a pen.

• Moving Arm: The moving arm follows the proximal phalanx.

• Stationary Arm: The stationary arm aligns with the metacarpal bone of the finger.

• Fulcrum: The fulcrum is over the MCP joint.

MCP Extension

Extension at the MCP joint involves straightening the fingers from a flexed position, which is essential for opening the hand or allowing fingers to rest flat.

• Moving Arm: The moving arm aligns with the proximal phalanx.

• Stationary Arm: The stationary arm aligns with the metacarpal bone.

• Fulcrum: The fulcrum is positioned over the MCP joint.

PIP Flexion

PIP flexion is the bending of the proximal interphalangeal joint, crucial for activities that require gripping and holding items.

• Moving Arm: The moving arm aligns with the middle phalanx of the finger.

• Stationary Arm: The stationary arm aligns with the proximal phalanx.

• Fulcrum: The fulcrum is positioned over the PIP joint.

DIP Flexion

DIP flexion involves bending at the distal interphalangeal joint, necessary for pinching and precise finger movements.

• Moving Arm: The moving arm aligns with the distal phalanx of the finger.

• Stationary Arm: The stationary arm aligns with the middle phalanx.

• Fulcrum: The fulcrum is positioned over the DIP joint.

Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ) Flexion Range of Motion

The normal range of motion (ROM) for flexion at the Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ) is approximately 110 to 115 degrees.

Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ) Extension Range of Motion

The normal range of motion (ROM) for extension at the Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ) is typically about 60 degrees.

Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ) Abduction Range of Motion

The normal range of motion (ROM) for abduction at the Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ) is approximately 180 degrees.

Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ) Internal Rotation Range of Motion

The normal range of motion (ROM) for internal rotation at the Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ) is about 70 degrees.

Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ) External Rotation Range of Motion

The normal range of motion (ROM) for external rotation at the Glenohumeral Joint (GHJ) is around 90 degrees.

Elbow Flexion Range of Motion

The normal range of motion (ROM) for flexion at the elbow joint is 150 degrees.

Elbow Extension Range of Motion

The normal range of motion (ROM) for extension at the elbow joint is 0 degrees, representing full arm extension.

Forearm Supination Range of Motion

The normal range of motion (ROM) for supination of the forearm is typically around 80 degrees.

Forearm Pronation Range of Motion

The normal range of motion (ROM) for pronation of the forearm is also about 80 degrees.

Wrist Flexion Range of Motion

The normal range of motion (ROM) for wrist flexion is 80 degrees.

Wrist Extension Range of Motion

The normal range of motion (ROM) for wrist extension is 70 degrees.

Radial Deviation Range of Motion

The normal range of motion (ROM) for radial deviation is 20 degrees.

Ulnar Deviation Range of Motion

The normal range of motion (ROM) for ulnar deviation is 30 degrees.

MCP Flexion Range of Motion

The normal range of motion (ROM) for MCP flexion is 90 degrees.

MCP Extension Range of Motion

The normal range of motion (ROM) for MCP extension is 45 degrees.

PIP Flexion Range of Motion

The normal range of motion (ROM) for PIP flexion is about 100 degrees.

DIP Flexion Range of Motion

The normal range of motion (ROM) for DIP flexion is 90 degrees.