Principles and Methods of Data Collection and Joint Range of Motion

Vocabulary flashcards covering data collection, clinician mechanics, joint classifications, planes and axes of movement, arthrokinematics, and safety considerations for ROM assessments.

Data Collection

In therapy, the process of collecting important information from patients to demonstrate functional progress and identify when progress has been stalled.

Visual Observation

The first assessment conducted by the clinician using sight to determine the patient's status immediately upon contact, gathering information such as posture, facial expressions, limping, muscle contours, skin color, and stability.

Palpation

Examination of the body surface by touch using firm, confident hands directly on the skin to locate specific landmarks for proper measurement placement.

Half Staggered Stance

A foot position recommended for clinicians during patient care to improve forward-to-back and side-to-side stability and protect the clinician's spine.

Kinematics

The study of movement.

Osteokinematics

The study of the movement of bones or the position of bones in space.

Range of Motion (ROM)

A measure of the distance a joint moves through a specific arc.

Active Range of Motion (AROM)

A measurement of joint motion taken while the patient performs the work.

Passive Range of Motion (PROM)

A measurement of joint motion taken with external force, without patient effort.

Articulation

Any place where two bone surfaces meet.

Syndesmosis

A joint where surfaces are bound by tissue but not close in proximity, such as the joints between the radius/ulna and tibia/fibula.

Physiological or Functional Joint

A joint involving bone and muscle without a formal joint capsule.

Plane

An imaginary flat surface through which movement takes place.

Axis

A perpendicular line around which a body part rotates.

Sagittal Plane

The plane that divides the body into left and right sections; correlates with the frontal axis.

Frontal Plane

The plane that divides the body into front and back sections; correlates with the sagittal axis.

Transverse Plane

The plane that divides the body into top and bottom sections; correlates with the vertical axis.

Flexion / Extension

Movements that occur in the sagittal plane around a frontal axis.

Abduction / Adduction

Movements that occur in the frontal plane around a sagittal axis.

Internal / External Rotation

Movements that occur in the transverse plane around a vertical axis.

Elevation

Movement characterized by shrugging up.

Circumduction

A combination of the movements flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.

Opposition

Movement where the tips of the thumb and little finger come together.

Horizontal Abduction / Adduction

Movement when a limb is in a pre-lateral position, where abduction moves away from the midline and adduction moves toward the midline.

Tilt

Movement of either the scapula or the pelvis.

Hypomobility

A reduced amount of movement.

Hypermobility

An excessive amount of movement.

Hyperextension

Movement that goes beyond the normal anatomical joint position of extension.

Arthrokinematics

Unconscious movement of the bone surfaces within the joint capsule.

Indication

A clinical condition or status that provides a reason to perform a specific treatment.

Contraindication

A specific situation or condition where a treatment must absolutely not be done.

Precaution

A situation where treatment can be performed, but the clinician must be extremely careful.

Contraindications for ROM Assessment

Suspected myositis ossificans or ectopic ossification; situations where motion causes further damage or interrupts healing; or when the therapist suspects subluxation, dislocation, or fracture.

Precautions for Assessing A/PROM

Painful conditions, inflammation, osteoporosis, hypermobile joint, hemophilia, hematoma, and medications.

Precautions for Assessing AROM

Overwound or fatigue, neurosurgery, abdomen surgery, intervertebral disc issues, eye surgery/conditions, or bony ankylosis.