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Limited range of motion

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The structure of a joint Limited range of motion

Overview Treatment

Limited range of motion

Definition:

Limited range of motion is a reduction in the normal distance and direction through which a joint can move.

Considerations:

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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
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Cerebral palsy
• Fracture of elbow (olecranon process)
• Fractures through most joints
• 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
  • Hurler syndrome
  • Scheie syndrome
  • Hunter syndrome
  • Morquio syndrome
• Progeria
• Ellis-van Creveld syndrome

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