Okuzeka
Physiotherapy vocabulary · Movement and Range of Motion

Abduction

Meaning in physiotherapy, with examples

/æbˈdʌkʃən/nounCore term

In physiotherapy, abduction means: A movement that takes a limb away from the midline of the body, such as lifting the arm out to the side.

In Turkish: abdüksiyon, uzaklaştırma

How it is used

Used in notes and measurements: 'shoulder abduction 0–160 degrees', 'hip abduction strength 4/5'. With patients, say 'lift your arm out to the side'. A muscle that does this movement is an abductor, and the verb is abduct.

Example sentences

  1. He has pain between 70 and 120 degrees of shoulder abduction.

  2. Side-lying hip abduction is a simple way to strengthen the gluteal muscles.

Common collocations

  • shoulder abduction
  • hip abduction
  • abduction strength
  • side-lying abduction
  • adductionA movement that brings a limb back towards or across the midline of the body, such as bringing the arm down to the side.
  • range of motionHow far a joint can move in each direction, usually measured in degrees from a starting position.
  • rotationA turning movement of a part of the body around its own long axis, such as turning the head or turning the arm inwards or outwards.
  • rotator cuffA group of four muscles and their tendons around the shoulder joint, which keep the top of the arm bone centred in the joint and help to rotate and lift the arm.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Movement and Range of Motion

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.