Passive Range of Motion – The amount of ROM achieved passively with assistance when stretched by some other manual force. This is usually a higher percentage than the child’s active range of motion but is still useful in function. This will allow the child headroom for active range of motion gains. This is also useful when eating or trying to get the hand to the mouth via leaning on some type of surface. (Table or highchair top)

 

Active Range of Motion – This is the amount of ROM achieved actively without assistance. The degree in which the joint can actively bend is usually less than the passive range achieved through stretching. This will increase as the strength of the muscle increases with conjunction to the flexibility of the joint.

Stretching is a useful exercise for increasing passive range of motion. Even though passive ROM will not increase muscle strength and rarely contributes to promoting active ROM alone; the less resistance by the joint the child encounters the easier it is for the muscle to achieve active ROM once muscle strength is established. When paired with E-Stim, deep massage, and activity exercises it is essential to the recovery of the childs extremity and a very important part of The JACE Method™.

The JACE Method™ Clubfoot Stretch

 

Video demonstrating ROM exercises for BPI patients also ideal for amyoplasia children.