Passive Range of Motion: Shoulder flexion
Original Editor - Kapil Narale
Top Contributors - Kapil Narale and Vidya Acharya
Introduction
Shoulder flexion can be accomplished in one of two ways, through glenohumeral joint flexion, or through glenohumeral joint, scapular, and clavicular motion. [1]
Patient Starting Position
The patient can be in a supine position with their knees up, or in a sitting position. In either position, their arm would be at the side, with the palm facing inwards, with the forearm in mid-position. [1]
Stabilization
The patient's shoulder is stabilized by the weight of their trunk, when supine.
If assessing shoulder flexion through glenohumeral, scapular, and clavicular movement, the therapist stabilizes their thorax before conducting the passive movement.
Alternatively, the therapist can place one hand on the medial border of the scapula, if strictly assessing glenohumeral movement.
Therapist's Distal Hand Placement
The therapist grasps the distal humerus, close to the elbow.
End Position
The therapist moves the humerus in an anterior and upward direction, to the limit of shoulder flexion.
The elbow is left in extension, if possible, to minimize any stretching of the 2-joint triceps muscle, thus possibly affecting the ROM of shoulder flexion.
End Feel
Firm