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Physiotherapy vocabulary · Movement and Range of Motion

Active range of motion

Meaning in physiotherapy, with examples

nounCommon term

In physiotherapy, active range of motion means: How far a joint can move when the patient moves it with their own muscles, without any help.

In Turkish: aktif eklem hareket açıklığı, aktif EHA

How it is used

Written AROM in notes. Physiotherapists usually test active range first ('show me how far you can lift your arm') and then compare it with passive range. If active range is much smaller than passive range, weakness or pain may be limiting the movement.

Example sentences

  1. Active range of motion of the knee is 5 to 100 degrees.

  2. Her active range of motion is much less than her passive range, so we think weakness is the main problem.

Common collocations

  • active range of motion exercises
  • full active range
  • measure active range
  • active-assisted range
  • passive range of motionHow far a joint can move when someone else, usually the physiotherapist, moves it while the patient's muscles stay relaxed.
  • range of motionHow far a joint can move in each direction, usually measured in degrees from a starting position.
  • goniometerA measuring tool with two arms joined at a hinge, used to measure the angle of a joint in degrees.
  • manual muscle testingA way of grading muscle strength by asking the patient to move or hold against gravity and against the physiotherapist's resistance, usually scored from 0 to 5.

More terms: Movement and Range of Motion

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