A patient post-operative day 15 has restrictions prohibiting active quadriceps contraction; however, the surgeon would like you to focus on knee ROM (flexion and extension). Which type of ROM would best benefit this patient?

A patient post-operative day 15 has restrictions prohibiting active quadriceps contraction; however, the surgeon would like you to focus on knee ROM (flexion and extension). Which type of ROM would best benefit this patient?

• A. Active ROM
• B. Passive ROM
• C. Active-Assisted ROM
• D. Resisted ROM

Answer: (B)

Maintaining knee movement without using the quadriceps is best served by passive ROM. In passive ROM, an external force moves the knee through its flexion and extension range without the patient actively contracting the quadriceps. This preserves joint mobility and soft tissue length, helps prevent stiffness and contractures after surgery, and protects healing tissues by avoiding any active quadriceps loading. Active ROM would require the patient to contract the quadriceps, which isn’t allowed here, and resisted ROM would demand even more muscle effort. Active-assisted ROM involves some muscle activity, which may still conflict with the restriction, so passive ROM is the safest and most effective choice for preserving ROM under these conditions.

Maintaining knee movement without using the quadriceps is best served by passive ROM. In passive ROM, an external force moves the knee through its flexion and extension range without the patient actively contracting the quadriceps. This preserves joint mobility and soft tissue length, helps prevent stiffness and contractures after surgery, and protects healing tissues by avoiding any active quadriceps loading. Active ROM would require the patient to contract the quadriceps, which isn’t allowed here, and resisted ROM would demand even more muscle effort. Active-assisted ROM involves some muscle activity, which may still conflict with the restriction, so passive ROM is the safest and most effective choice for preserving ROM under these conditions.