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When a joint has limited range of motion, this refers to how far it can bend, rotate or twist and the direction in which it performs these actions.
Limited joint mobility impacts quality of life, reduces the activities you can perform without assistance and can contribute to muscle atrophy. Understand more about this condition and how physical therapy can help you recover.
What Is Limited Range of Motion?
Your body consists of joints that can move in at least one direction, from your knees, feet and ankles to your back, neck and wrists. While range of motion varies, bones meet at these intersections, cartilage offers cushioning and muscles, ligaments and tendons offer support.
Assessing range of motion can involve:
- How well you can straighten, stretch or rotate a joint
- Flexibility, which can be impacted by age
- How well you can move the joint to and away from the center of the body
- Moving a ball-and-socket joint effectively in all directions
Limited range of motion can affect how well you dress yourself, prepare food, walk and exercise.
Why Might Joint Motion Be Limited?
You may be experiencing limited range of motion due to a number of factors:
- The joint may be dislocated or you have a bacterial infection like sepsis
- Tissues surrounding the joint are stiff, swollen or damaged
- You may have a medical condition affecting the joints, including arthritis or cerebral palsy
- Your body may be experiencing circulation issues
- A fracture causing widespread pain
- Cartilage damage
- Contracture or thickening of the skin
With certain medical conditions, limited range of motion may be permanent.
Diagnosis and Treatment
A doctor will begin by examining your joint, assessing range of motion and asking about additional symptoms affecting your movement. You may undergo medical imaging to examine the joint and any adjacent bones, nerves and muscles.
If referred to a physical therapist, you will be instructed on exercises to improve joint flexibility. You may also undergo various forms of manual therapy to improve range of motion and do additional exercises focused on form and alignment to prevent additional damage.
Are you looking to improve your range of motion after a broken bone or soft tissue injury? If your doctor has recommended physical therapy for a joint with a limited range of motion, contact Integrated Rehab to learn more.