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Active Assisted Range of Motion (AAROM)

Active Assisted Range of Motion (AAROM) refers to a type of therapeutic exercise where the joint moves through its available range with partial assistance from an external force, while the patient actively contracts their muscles to contribute as much as possible to the movement.

Key Definition:

It bridges the gap between passive range of motion (PROM, where an external force like a therapist moves the joint completely without patient effort) and active range of motion (AROM, where the patient moves the joint independently without help).
The assistance can come from a therapist's hands, the patient's other limb, gravity, a strap, pulley, cane/stick, or mechanical device.
This is typically used when there is muscle weakness, pain, fatigue, limited strength after injury/surgery, or changes in muscle tone, allowing the patient to participate actively while safely achieving a greater range than they could alone.

Benefits:

Helps prevent stiffness, contractures, and muscle shortening.
Provides sensory feedback and gentle strengthening.
Promotes gradual improvement in joint flexibility and muscle control.
Often part of rehabilitation after surgery (e.g., rotator cuff repair), fractures, arthritis, or neurological conditions.

General Guidelines for Performing AAROM:

Move slowly, smoothly, and gently — avoid jerky or forced motions.
Stop if you feel sharp pain (mild discomfort may be normal, but never push into pain).
Usually perform 5–10 repetitions per exercise, 2–3 times a day, as advised by a physical therapist.
Assistance should decrease gradually as strength improves, progressing toward full active motion.

Here are typical examples for major joints, described step-by-step without any visual references:

Shoulder Flexion (forward raising the arm)

Start with the arm relaxed at your side.
Use your unaffected arm, a stick/cane held with both hands, or a therapist to gently help lift the affected arm forward and upward as far as comfortable (aiming toward overhead if possible).
The affected shoulder's muscles should actively try to lift at the same time.
Hold briefly at the top, then slowly lower back down with control.

Shoulder External Rotation (rotating arm outward)

Lie on your back or sit with the elbow bent to 90 degrees and tucked at your side (forearm pointing forward).
Hold a stick/cane horizontally with both hands.
Use the unaffected arm to gently push the stick, rotating the affected forearm outward (away from the body midline).
The affected arm actively assists in the rotation.
Return slowly to the starting position.

Elbow Flexion/Extension

Sit or stand with the arm relaxed.
Use the opposite hand to support just above or below the elbow of the affected arm.
Actively bend the affected elbow to bring the hand toward the shoulder, while the supporting hand provides gentle help to complete the bend if needed.
Then straighten the arm fully, assisting only as required.
Keep movements controlled.

Wrist Flexion/Extension

Rest the forearm on a table with the hand hanging off the edge (palm down or up).
Use the opposite hand to support the forearm or gently guide the hand.
Actively bend the wrist upward (extension) or downward (flexion), allowing the assisting hand to help reach further if the muscles fatigue.
Move through the full comfortable range without forcing.

Knee Flexion/Extension (seated or lying)

Sit in a chair with feet flat on the floor, or lie on your back.
Use a strap around the foot/ankle, or have a therapist support the leg.
Actively bend the knee to slide the heel toward the buttocks (flexion), assisting with the strap or hand to go further if needed.
Then straighten the leg fully (extension), helping only to complete the motion.

Ankle Dorsiflexion/Plantarflexion

Sit with legs extended or supported.
Loop a towel/strap around the ball of the foot.
Actively pull the toes toward your shin (dorsiflexion), using the strap to gently assist further.
Then point the toes away (plantarflexion), assisting as necessary.

Always consult a qualified physical therapist or healthcare provider before starting these or any exercises, as the exact type, range, and assistance level should be personalized based on your condition, injury, or surgery. They can ensure safety and proper progression!

Active Assisted Range of Motion (AAROM)

Active Assisted Range of Motion (AAROM) refers to a type of therapeutic exercise where the joint moves through its available range with partial assistance from an external force, while the patient actively contracts their muscles to contribute as much as possible to the movement.

Key Definition:

It bridges the gap between passive range of motion (PROM, where an external force like a therapist moves the joint completely without patient effort) and active range of motion (AROM, where the patient moves the joint independently without help).

The assistance can come from a therapist's hands, the patient's other limb, gravity, a strap, pulley, cane/stick, or mechanical device.

This is typically used when there is muscle weakness, pain, fatigue, limited strength after injury/surgery, or changes in muscle tone, allowing the patient to participate actively while safely achieving a greater range than they could alone.

Benefits:

Helps prevent stiffness, contractures, and muscle shortening.

Provides sensory feedback and gentle strengthening.

Promotes gradual improvement in joint flexibility and muscle control.

Often part of rehabilitation after surgery (e.g., rotator cuff repair), fractures, arthritis, or neurological conditions.

General Guidelines for Performing AAROM:

Move slowly, smoothly, and gently — avoid jerky or forced motions.

Stop if you feel sharp pain (mild discomfort may be normal, but never push into pain).

Usually perform 5–10 repetitions per exercise, 2–3 times a day, as advised by a physical therapist.

Assistance should decrease gradually as strength improves, progressing toward full active motion.

Here are typical examples for major joints, described step-by-step without any visual references:

Shoulder Flexion (forward raising the arm)

Start with the arm relaxed at your side.

Use your unaffected arm, a stick/cane held with both hands, or a therapist to gently help lift the affected arm forward and upward as far as comfortable (aiming toward overhead if possible).

The affected shoulder's muscles should actively try to lift at the same time.

Hold briefly at the top, then slowly lower back down with control.

Shoulder External Rotation (rotating arm outward)

Lie on your back or sit with the elbow bent to 90 degrees and tucked at your side (forearm pointing forward).

Hold a stick/cane horizontally with both hands.

Use the unaffected arm to gently push the stick, rotating the affected forearm outward (away from the body midline).

The affected arm actively assists in the rotation.

Return slowly to the starting position.

Elbow Flexion/Extension

Sit or stand with the arm relaxed.

Use the opposite hand to support just above or below the elbow of the affected arm.

Actively bend the affected elbow to bring the hand toward the shoulder, while the supporting hand provides gentle help to complete the bend if needed.

Then straighten the arm fully, assisting only as required.

Keep movements controlled.

Wrist Flexion/Extension

Rest the forearm on a table with the hand hanging off the edge (palm down or up).

Use the opposite hand to support the forearm or gently guide the hand.

Actively bend the wrist upward (extension) or downward (flexion), allowing the assisting hand to help reach further if the muscles fatigue.

Move through the full comfortable range without forcing.

Knee Flexion/Extension (seated or lying)

Sit in a chair with feet flat on the floor, or lie on your back.

Use a strap around the foot/ankle, or have a therapist support the leg.

Actively bend the knee to slide the heel toward the buttocks (flexion), assisting with the strap or hand to go further if needed.

Then straighten the leg fully (extension), helping only to complete the motion.

Ankle Dorsiflexion/Plantarflexion

Sit with legs extended or supported.

Loop a towel/strap around the ball of the foot.

Actively pull the toes toward your shin (dorsiflexion), using the strap to gently assist further.

Then point the toes away (plantarflexion), assisting as necessary.

Always consult a qualified physical therapist or healthcare provider before starting these or any exercises, as the exact type, range, and assistance level should be personalized based on your condition, injury, or surgery. They can ensure safety and proper progression!