Limited range of motion

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Limited range of motion

The structure of a joint

Limited range of motion is a reduction in the normal distance and direction through which a joint can move.

Range of motion is the distance and direction of movement of a joint. Limited range of motion is a term meaning that a specific joint or body part cannot move through its normal range of motion.

Motion may be limited by a mechanical problem within the joint, by swelling of tissue around the joint, by stiffness of the muscles, or by pain.

Diseases that prevent a joint from fully extending may, over time, produce contracture deformities, causing permanent inability to extend the joint beyond a certain fixed position.

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Cerebral palsy
• Fracture of elbow
• Fractures through most joints
• Dislocation (of most joints)
• Nursemaid's elbow, an injury to the elbow joint -- extremely common
• Congenital torticollis
• Septic joint (especially septic hip)
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
• Syphilis
• Mucopolysaccharide storage diseases
  • Hurler syndrome
  • Scheie syndrome
  • Hunter syndrome
  • Morquio syndrome

Review Date: 11/02/2006
Reviewed By: Thomas N. Joseph, MD, Private Practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone & Joint, Camden, SC. Reviewprovided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.