Which description describes ROM for the hip, knee, and ankle?

Which description describes ROM for the hip, knee, and ankle?

• A. Move hip through ROM by extending the knee only and keeping the hip still.
• B. Move the hip and knee through ROM using flexion/extension, lifting the knee toward the torso and returning to the mattress.
• C. Move only the ankles while the hips and knees remain stationary.
• D. Move the hip in circular motions only.

Answer: (B)

Moving the leg through flexion and extension at the hip and knee best shows ROM for the hip, knee, and ankle. Lifting the knee toward the torso engages both hip flexion and knee flexion, then returning to the mattress returns the joints toward their extended positions. This demonstrates how the hip and knee work together to move the leg through its range, which is exactly what an active ROM test for the lower extremities assesses. The other options isolate a single joint or focus on circular hip motion, which doesn’t capture the coordinated movement across multiple joints. In practice, support the limb, keep the hip and pelvis aligned, and stop if the resident experiences pain.

Moving the leg through flexion and extension at the hip and knee best shows ROM for the hip, knee, and ankle. Lifting the knee toward the torso engages both hip flexion and knee flexion, then returning to the mattress returns the joints toward their extended positions. This demonstrates how the hip and knee work together to move the leg through its range, which is exactly what an active ROM test for the lower extremities assesses. The other options isolate a single joint or focus on circular hip motion, which doesn’t capture the coordinated movement across multiple joints. In practice, support the limb, keep the hip and pelvis aligned, and stop if the resident experiences pain.