Range of Motion

Fig 1.The ankle range of motion

Fig 3. The first metatarsal range of motion

Active and passive range of motion (ROM) of a joint are often accessed to determine if there are any pain, crepitus, or limitations at the joint. The ankle joint primarily movement is dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. Normal ankle dorsiflexion is 10-15 degrees (fig. 1). Normal ankle plantarflexion can range from 40-70°. Step 1: Have the patient lay in a supine position. Step 2: Have the patient dorsiflexed their ankle to first resistant. Use a goniometer to measure the angle. Step 3: Have the patient plantarflexed their ankle to first resistant. Use a goniometer to measure the angle.

The subtalar joint (STJ) primarily movement occurs in the plane of pronation and supination. To test the range of motion of the subtalar joint, inversion and eversion of the foot is measured. The general rule is that the degree of inversion should be twice as much as eversion. Step 1: Have the patient lay in a prone position. Step 2: Have the patient evert their foot to first resistant. Use a goniometer to measure the angle. Step 3: Have the patient invert the foot to first resistant. Use a goniometer to measure the angle. The first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) primarily movement is dorsiflexion and plantarflexion.

The first MTPJ normal range of motion is 5 millimeters dorsally and 5 millimeters plantarly with 40-60 degrees of maximum dorsiflexion (fig 3). Step 1: Have the patient sit in a tall chair so that the foot does not touch the ground. Step 2: Use the thumb of one hand and place it on the metatarsal heads of digits 2-4 to keep them maximally dorsiflexed. Use the index finger of the same hand and place it dorsally of the head of the second metatarsal. Step 3: Dorsiflex the first toe to first resistant. Use a ruler to determine how much the toe is dorsiflexed from the transverse plane. Step 4: Plantarfex the first toe to first resistant. Use a ruler to determine how much the toe is plantarflexed from the transverse plane. Next, place the joint in range of motion an use a goniometer to measure dorsflexion (~40-60 degrees of dorsiflexion).

Albert, S., & Curran, S. A. (2013). Biomechanics of the lower extremity: theory & practice. Denver, CO: Bipedmed, L.L.C.