Notes on Joint Movements

KPJ University - Healthcare Joint Movements Notes

Learning Outcomes
  • Demonstrate proper assessment techniques for evaluating joint range of motion (ROM).
  • Describe the different types of joint movements, including physiological and accessory movements, with relevant anatomical references.
Introduction to Joint Movements
  • Definition: Joints connect bones and enable motion.
  • Planes of Motion:
    • Sagittal Plane: Flexion & Extension
    • Frontal Plane: Abduction & Adduction
    • Transverse Plane: Rotation
  • Importance of Joint Movements:
    • Vital for everyday activities (walking, running, reaching).
    • Essential for sports performance.
    • Critical during rehabilitation after injuries.
Head Movements
  • Flexion: Bending forward, decreasing angle between chin and chest.
  • Extension: Moving backward, increasing angle between chin and chest.
  • Rotation: Turning head horizontally to left or right.
  • Lateral Flexion: Tilt head sideways toward shoulder.
Shoulder Movements
  • Flexion: Moving arm forward and upward from side.
  • Extension: Moving arm backward from front position.
  • Abduction: Moving arm away from body to the side.
  • Adduction: Bringing arm back toward body from abducted position.
  • Internal Rotation: Rotating arm inward toward body.
  • External Rotation: Rotating arm outward, away from the body.
  • Circumduction: Circular motion combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.
Shoulder Girdle Movements
  • Protraction: Movement of scapula forward away from spine (e.g., reaching out).
  • Retraction: Movement of scapula backward towards spine (e.g., rowing).
  • Elevation: Upward movement of scapula (e.g., shoulder shrugging).
  • Depression: Downward movement of scapula (returning shoulders to neutral).
  • Upward Rotation: Scapula rotation allowing arm movement above head.
Spine Movements
  • Flexion: Forward bending, decreasing segment angle.
  • Extension: Backward bending, increasing segment angle.
  • Lateral Flexion: Side bending left or right.
  • Rotation: Twisting to allow upper body movement.
Elbow Movements
  • Flexion: Bending elbow to bring forearm closer to upper arm.
  • Extension: Straightening elbow to move forearm away.
  • Pronation: Rotating forearm palm down.
  • Supination: Rotating forearm palm up.
Wrist Movements
  • Flexion: Bending wrist forward (palm closer to forearm).
  • Extension: Bending wrist backward (back of hand closer to forearm).
  • Ulnar Deviation: Moving wrist toward little finger.
  • Radial Deviation: Moving wrist toward thumb.
Finger Movements
  • Flexion: Bending fingers toward palm.
  • Extension: Straightening fingers away from palm.
  • Abduction: Moving fingers away from hand’s midline.
  • Adduction: Bringing fingers toward midline.
  • Circumduction: Circular movement at the MCP joint.
Hip Movements
  • Flexion: Lifting thigh forward, decreasing joint angle.
  • Extension: Moving thigh backward, increasing joint angle.
  • Abduction: Moving leg away from midline.
  • Adduction: Bringing leg toward midline.
  • Internal Rotation: Rotating thigh inward.
  • External Rotation: Rotating thigh outward.
Hip Joint Range of Motion
  • Flexion: 0 to 100 degrees.
  • Extension: 0 to 30 degrees.
  • Abduction: 0 to 40 degrees.
  • Adduction: 0 to 20 degrees.
  • External Rotation: 0 to 50 degrees.
  • Internal Rotation: 0 to 40 degrees.
Knee Movements
  • Flexion: Bending the knee, bringing heel to buttocks.
  • Extension: Straightening the leg away from thigh.
Ankle Movements
  • Dorsiflexion: Upward foot movement, decreasing angle between foot and shin.
  • Plantarflexion: Downward foot movement, increasing angle between foot and shin.
  • Inversion: Sole turning inward toward midline.
  • Eversion: Sole turning outward, away from midline.