What is the term for the movement of a joint without patient effort?

The term for the movement of a joint without patient effort is passive range of motion. This term describes a situation in which a nurse or therapist performs movements on a patient's joints, allowing the joints to move through their range without any active participation from the patient. This is particularly important for individuals who may be unable to move their joints themselves due to condition such as paralysis or severe weakness.

Passive range of motion exercises help maintain joint flexibility, prevent contractures, and promote circulation. They are crucial in rehabilitation and care settings to ensure that patients preserve as much range of motion as possible, even when they are unable to actively engage in movement.

Active range of motion, in contrast, involves the patient performing the movements themselves, thereby contributing to their own mobility and physical therapy. Isometric exercises refer to muscle contractions without any movement in the joint angle, focusing more on muscle strengthening. Dynamic flexibility involves active movements that stretch the muscles and improve their elasticity through motion. Understanding these differences is key to implementing appropriate therapeutic strategies for various patient needs.