Orthopedics Physical Therapy Generally Accepted Values for Normal Range of Motion (ROM) in Joints By Elizabeth Quinn Elizabeth Quinn is an exercise physiologist, sports medicine writer, and fitness consultant for corporate wellness and rehabilitation clinics. Learn about our editorial process Elizabeth Quinn Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD on July 20, 2019 linkedin Grant Hughes, MD, is a board-certified rheumatologist. He is an associate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine and the head of rheumatology at Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center. Learn about our Medical Review Board Grant Hughes, MD Updated on August 06, 2019 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents ROM by Joint Factors Influencing ROM Limited Range of Motion Types of Exercises Range of motion (ROM) is a measurement of the distance and direction a joint can move to its full potential. A joint is a location in the body where bones connect. Most of them are constructed to allow movement in predetermined directions. The amount of movement through a normal range of motion is commonly measured in degrees using an instrument called a goniometer. Each joint has different ranges of motion for each type of movement it can perform. There are a few joints that do not support movement, such as in the skull. How Range of Motion is Measured Joint Movements Common joint movements include: Extension: Extension is a motion that increases the angle between the bones of the limb at a joint. It occurs when muscles contract and bones move the joint into a straightened position, like straightening the elbow.Flexion: The opposite of extension, flexion bends the joint so that the joint angle decreases, like bending the elbow.Abduction: Abduction is moving away from the central axis of the body.Adduction: Adduction is moving towards the central axis of the body. Normal Ranges of Motion By Joint Although there is variability among various individuals, the following are generally accepted values for a normal ROM in each individual joint as measured in degrees. Physical therapists and exercise physiologists measure an individual's range of motion and compare it to these normal values. Hip Flexion 0 to 125 degreesExtension 115 to 0 degreesHyperextension (straightening beyond normal range) 0 to 15 degreesAbduction 0 to 45 degreesAdduction 45 to 0 degreesLateral rotation (rotation away from the center of the body) 0 to 45 degreesMedial rotation (rotation towards the center of the body) 0 to 45 degrees Knee Flexion 0 to 130 degreesExtension 120 to 0 degrees Ankle Plantar flexion (movement downward) 0 to 50 degreesDorsiflexion (movement upward) 0 to 20 degrees Foot Inversion (rolled inward) 0 to 35 degreesEversion (rolled outward) 0 to 25 degrees Metatarsophalangeal Joint of the Foot Flexion 0 to 30 degreesExtension 0 to 80 degrees Interphalangeal Joint of the Toe Flexion 0 to 50 degreesExtension 50 to 0 degrees Shoulder Flexion 0 to 180 degreesExtension 0 to 50 degreesAbduction 0 to 90 degreesAdduction 90 to 0 degreesLateral rotation 0 to 90 degreesMedial rotation 0 to 90 degrees Elbow Flexion 0 to 160 degreesExtension 145 to 0 degreesPronation (rotation inward) 0 to 90 degreesSupination (rotation outward) 0 to 90 degrees Wrist Flexion 0 to 90 degreesExtension 0 to 70 degreesAbduction 0 to 25 degreesAdduction 0 to 65 degrees Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) Abduction 0 to 25 degreesAdduction 20 to 0 degreesFlexion 0 to 90 degreesExtension 0 to 30 degrees Interphalangeal Proximal (PIP) Joint of the Finger Flexion 0 to 120 degreesExtension 120 to 0 degrees Interphalangeal Distal (DIP) Joint of the Finger Flexion 0 to 80 degreesExtension 80 to 0 degrees Metacarpophalangeal Joint of the Thumb Abduction 0 to 50 degreesAdduction 40 to 0 degreesFlexion 0 to 70 degreesExtension 60 to 0 degrees Interphalangeal Joint of the Thumb Flexion 0 to 90 degreesExtension 90 to 0 degrees Factors Influencing ROM There are numerous influences—inherent and situational—that can affect your ROM. Some of the things that you can’t control and that you are born with include: The type of joint, as some joints aren't meant to move a lotThe internal resistance within a jointBony structures which limit movementThe elasticity of muscle tissue, for instance, muscle tissue that is scarred due to a previous injury is not very elasticThe muscle's ability to relax and contract to achieve the greatest range of movement Another factor that you can't control is age. One study examined the effects of age and sex on joint ROM and found that older participants showed smaller ROMs than their younger counterparts. In one case, the difference in ROM was 44.9% for the eversion and inversion of the foot. What’s more, older subjects needed more time to reach a full range of motion. As for sex, it was found to have a significant effect on ROM. Men had smaller ROMs than women in some areas, with the greatest difference, 29.7%, occurring in the hand. These differences in age and sex were found to affect specific joints and motions, which could be explained by the differences in anatomy and the frequency that the joints are used in activities between the groups. Limited Range of Motion Limited range of motion is a term used when a joint has a reduction in its ability to move. This can be due to injuries to the soft tissues surrounding a joint. It may also be caused by diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other types of arthritis. Regaining range of motion in a joint is one of the first phases of injury rehabilitation. Physical therapists often prescribe specific ROM exercises for each joint. Each joint has a normal ROM, while each person has a different amount of ability to achieve it. Joints maintain a balanced range of motion by regular use and stretching of the surrounding soft tissues (muscles, tendons, and ligaments). Just 10 minutes of stretching three times a week can help improve range of motion. A study found that small gains in ROM might be made by applying heat while stretching. In healthy individuals, those who were complaining of tight muscles saw a slight improvement in range of motion with heat and stretching compared to those who only stretched. Types of Exercises for Increased ROM Physical therapists often prescribe specific ROM exercises for each joint. These exercises aim to gently increase the range of motion with attention to the pain, stiffness, and swelling that may be present. There are three types of range-of-motion exercises: Active range-of-motion: You perform these exercises without assistance.Active assistive range-of-motion: The therapist helps the patient do these exercises. This is may be done if the muscles are weak or when the movement causes discomfort.Passive range-of-motion: The therapist or equipment moves the joint through the range of motion without any effort from the patient. A Word From Verywell You need to be able to move your joints through their normal ranges to perform many tasks of daily living and job duties as well as to enjoy physical activity and sports. You can improve your flexibility through range-of-motion exercises whether you are healthy or need rehabilitation from an injury. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get exercise tips to make your workouts less work and more fun. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Soucie JM, Wang C, Forsyth A, et al. Range of motion measurements: reference values and a database for comparison studies. Haemophilia. 2011;17(3):500-7. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2516.2010.02399.x Magee DJ. Orthopedic Physical Assessment - E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2014. Marek SM, Cramer JT, Fincher AL, et al. Acute Effects of Static and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching on Muscle Strength and Power Output. J Athl Train. 2005;40(2):94-103. Additional Reading Physical Therapy (PT). Merck Manual Professional. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/special-subjects/rehabilitation/physical-therapy-pt. Normal Joint Range of Motion Study. Centers for Disease Control. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/jointrom/. Behm DG, Blazevich AJ, Kay AD, McHugh M. Acute Effects of Muscle Stretching on Physical Performance, Range of Motion, and Injury Incidence in Healthy Active Individuals: A Systematic Review. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2016 Jan;41(1):1-11. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2015-0235. Epub 2015 Dec 8. Hwang J, Jung MC. Age and Sex Differences in Ranges of Motion and Motion Patterns. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2015;21(2):173-86. doi: 10.1080/10803548.2015.1029301. Nakano J, Yamabayashi C, Scott A, Reid WD. The Effect of Heat Applied With Stretch to Increase Range of Motion: a Systematic Review. Phys Ther Sport. 2012 Aug;13(3):180-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2011.11.003. Epub 2011 Dec 29.