Capitol University College of Nursing

Related Learning Experience 40

Watchers Class on Range of Motion

ROM Exercises

What is ROM exercises?

Range of motion exercises are physical activities done in the purpose of maintaining normal range of joint movement. Range of motion exercises comprise simple daily activities.

Active Range of Motion (ROM)

vwhen the patient does the exercises by himself or herself.

Passive Range of Motion (ROM)

vexercise performed by the nurse or others without the participation of the

Purpose of ROM exercise

1.Maintain joint Function 2.Restore joint Function

Benefits of ROM exercises Improves Circulation Enhances physical performance Reduces stiffness Alleviates back pain

How to start?
Learn passive ROM exercises from the person's caregiver. Raise the person's bed to a height that is comfortable for you. Make sure the wheels of the bed or wheelchair are locked before you start the exercises. Do all ROM exercises

 Make ROM exercises a part of the person's daily routine. Follow the caregiver's orders. Move the joint slowly. Stop ROM exercises if the person feels pain.

Head and Neck exercises

How to start: Lay the person on his back with his head as flat (no pillow) as possible. Support the back of the person's head with one of your hands. Support the chin with your other hand. Move the chin down to rest on the chest. Return the head to a normal upright position. Tilt the head as far as possible toward each shoulder. Move the hand from side to side, bringing the chin toward each shoulder.

Shoulder and Elbow exercises

How to start:Put one hand under the person's elbow and hold his wrist with your other hand. Keep the person's elbow straight, or bend the elbow slightly if necessary. Start with the arm at the patients side and lift the arm forward to above head. Return the arm to the starting position at the side of the body. With the arm at the patients side, move the arm laterally to an upright position above the head, and then return to the original position. Move the arm across

 Raise the arm at the side until the upper arm is in line with the shoulder. Bend the arm at a 90-degree angle and move the forearm upward and downward, then return the arm to the side. Bend the elbow and move the lower arm and hand upward toward the shoulder. Return the lower arm and hand to the original position while straightening the elbow. Repeat the above exercises with the left arm.

Forearm and wrist exercises

How to start: Start with the person's arms at his sides. Hold just below the person's wrist with one of your hands. Hold the person's hand with your other hand. Rotate the lower arm and hand so the palm is up. Rotate the lower arm and hand so the palm of the hand is down. Move the hand downward toward the inner aspect of the forearm. Return the hand to a neutral position even with the forearm. Then move the dorsal portion of the hand backward a far as possible. Repeat the above exercises with the left arm

Hand and Finger exercises

How to start:Hold the person's wrist to keep it straight. Use your other hand to do the hand and finger exercises.

Bend the fingers to make a fist, then straighten them out. Spread the fingers apart and return them back together. Touch the thumb to each finger on the hand. Repeat the above exercises with the

Hip and knee exercises

How to start: Place the person's right leg flat on the bed. Put one hand under the ankle and your other hand under the knee. Straighten the leg and return it to a flat position on the bed after each exercise. Extend the leg and lift upward. Return the leg to its original position beside the other leg. Lift the leg laterally away from the patients body. Return the leg back toward the other leg and try to extend it beyond the

 Turn the foot and leg toward the other leg to rotate it internally. Turn the foot and leg outward away from the other leg to rotate it externally Turn the foot and leg toward the other leg to rotate it internally. Turn the foot and leg outward away from the other leg to rotate it externally. Bend the leg and bring the heel toward the back of the leg; then return the leg to a straight position.

Repeat the above exercises with the left leg.

Ankle and Toes exercises

How to start:Hold the right ankle with one hand. Put your other hand on the bottom of the foot.
Move the foot up and back until the toes are upright. Move the foot with the toes pointing downward. Turn the sole of the foot toward the midline. Turn the sole of the foot outward. Curl the toes downward, then straighten them out. Spread the toes apart and bring them together.

 Repeat these exercise on the other side of the body. Encourage the patient to do as many of these exercises by himself or herself as possible. Repeating motions on the other side provides exercise for the entire body. When finished, make sure the patient is comfortable, with the side rails up and the bed in the lowest position.

 When finished, make sure the patient is comfortable, with the side rails up and the bed in the lowest position. Proper positioning with raised side nails and proper bed height provides for patient comfort and safety. Remove gloves if used and perform hand hygiene. Document the exercises performed, any observations, and the patients reaction to the activities. Proper glove removal and hand hygiene prevent the spread of microorganism. Documentation promotes continuity of care and communication.

Contraindications
Heart and Respiratory Diseases. Range of motion exercises require energy and tend to increase circulation. Increasing the level of energy expended or increasing the demand for circulation is potentially hazardous to patients with heart and respiratory diseases. Connective Tissue Disorders. Range of motion exercises put stress on the soft tissues of the joint and on the bony structures. These exercises should not be performed if the joints are swollen or inflamed or if there has been injury to the musculoskeletal system in the vicinity of the joint.