Courtesy: Prof Nabil Ebraheim, University of Toledo, Ohio, USA The thumb is crucial to the overall function of the hand, with amputation leading to about 40% impairment. Because of value of thumb, reimplantation at any level is recommended. It also accounts to around 22% disability of the individual as a whole The thumbs actions are flexion, extension, abduction(palmar and radial), adduction and opposition. Abduction is defined as motion away from second metacarpal and adduction is motion towards second metacarpal. It occurs at the carpometocarpal joint. It can occur in two planes, parallel to the palm of the hand and perpendicular to the palm of the hand. Flexion extension occurs at MCP, IP and CMC. Opposition have several actions – Complete opposition is measured as tip of the thumb touching either the base of the 5th digit or tip of the little finger. These two actions can be used to find deficiencies in opposition. Another way is by measuring from flexor crease of IP joint to the distal palmar crease over the 3rd metacarpal. It can also be tested by making the thumb touch different parts of the palm. Post Views: 32,808 Introduction[edit | edit source]Range of motion (ROM) means the extent or limit to which a part of the body can be moved around a joint or a fixed point; the totality of movement a joint is capable of doing. Range of motion of a joint is gauged during passive ROM (assisted) or active ROM (independent)).
Types of ROM[edit | edit source]
Measuring Range of Motion[edit | edit source]ROM measurements are an integral part of the physiotherapy assessment since monitoring patient status and documenting patient progress are standard requirements of physiotherapy practice. The tool used may depend on the body part, ease of use and physiotherapist's experience. A Goniometer is the most common tool for measuring range of motion of the joints of the body. It uses a stationary arm, fulcrum, and movement arm to measure joint angles from the axis of the joint.[5] Making a ROM measurement by using a goniometer requires training for reliable results. See the goniometry collection of pages for instructions on how to correctly (reliably and accurately) place the goniometer when measuring range of motion. Other types of ROM measurement: Tape measures can also be used to measure range of motion in some specific parts of the body. For example lumbar spine flexion can be assessed with a tape measure in the Schober Test. Movement Planes[edit | edit source]Three basic reference planes are used in anatomy. When considering the range of motion of a joint, or the movement direction, the three universal planes need to be taken into account. Each of the movements lie in one of the respective planes. [6] Causes of Limited Range of Motion[edit | edit source]Limited ROM refers to a joint that has a reduction in its ability to move. Motion may be limited because of a problem within the joint, swelling of tissue around the joint, stiffness of the muscles, or pain.[7] Medical conditions associated with a limited range of motion in the joints include:
Other than pathological causes for restriction of movement, there could be non-pathological causes such as
Increasing Range of Motion[edit | edit source]Range of motion can be maintained and gradually increased through the following range of motion & stretching exercises. Check out the page on Stretching for an in-depth explanation of the concept and topic. Range of Motion Exercises & Stretching[edit | edit source]Range of motion exercise refers to activity aimed at improving movement of a specific joint. This motion is influenced by several structures: configuration of bone surfaces within the joint, joint capsule, ligaments, tendons, and muscles acting on the joint. There are three types of range of motion stretching exercises:
Physiotherapy[edit | edit source]There are many reasons for seeing a Physiotherapist to aid with limited range of motion at a join. Range of motion therapy benefits include:
References[edit | edit source]
What are the movements of ROM?Range of motion (ROM) refers to how far you can move or stretch a part of your body, such as a joint or a muscle. It's different for each of us. For example, some people can do complete splits, but others can't: their joints aren't loose and their muscles won't lengthen as far.
What is the motion of turning the hand toward the little finger called?Together, these articulations enable flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction. Figure 1. Adduction is the movement of the entire hand toward the little finger (i.e., the pinky or fifth digit). Abduction is the movement of the entire hand toward the thumb (i.e., the first digit) (Figure 2).
What are the different types of movement for ROM exercises?There are three types of ROM exercises: passive, active, and active-assistive ROM.
What are range of motion exercises called?Range of motion exercises are also called "ROM" exercises. There are three types of ROM exercises: passive, active, and active assists. Passive range of motion is movement applied to a joint solely by another person or persons or a passive motion machine.
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