Shoulder Passive Range of Motion

Anatomical Movement: Shoulder joint passive flexion (the movement of humerus straight anteriorly) and extension (the movement of humerus straight posteriorly).
Testing position: Patient is standing or seated with the shoulder adducted by the body midline, forearm in the neutral position. First, examiner’s hand is placed at patient’s shoulder providing manual downward pressure on the spine of the scapula to eliminate any contribution of scapula movement, patient’s arm is than taken through full passive range. Next, examiner releases the pressure from the spine of the scapula allowing movements of the entire shoulder complex.
Expected Findings: Normal range of movement for flexion is 150-180 degrees, and for extension is 40 degrees.

Anatomical Movement: Shoulder joint passive abduction (upward lateral movement of humerus, away from the body, in the plane of the scapula).
Testing position: Patient is standing or seated with the shoulder adducted by the body midline, forearm in the neutral position. First, examiner’s hand is placed at patient’s shoulder providing manual downward pressure on the spine of the scapula to eliminate any contribution of scapula movement, patient’s arm is than taken through full passive range. Next, examiner releases the pressure from the spine of the scapula allowing movements of the entire shoulder complex.
Expected Findings: Normal range of motion for abduction is 180 degrees, and for adduction is 30-40 degrees.

Anatomical Movement: Shoulder passive horizontal adduction and abduction (transverse flexion and extension).
Testing position: Patient is standing or seated with the elbow flexed 90 degrees, arm in flexion and internal rotation 90 degrees
First, examiner’s hand is placed at patient’s scapula providing manual pressure to eliminate any contribution of scapula movement, patient’s arm is than taken to horizontal adduction towards chest. Next, horizontal abduction is performed, where patient’s arm is taken away from the chest.
Expected Findings: Normal range of motion for adduction is 10-20 degrees, and for abduction is up to 15 degrees with a stabilized scapula.

Anatomical Movement: Shoulder joint passive external and internal rotation (the movement of humerus laterally and medially around its long axis away or toward the midline).
Testing position: Patient is standing or seated with the shoulder adducted to the body midline, elbow at 90 degrees of flexion and forearm in the neutral position. Examiner’s hand is placed at patient’s shoulder providing manual downward pressure on the spine of the scapula to eliminate any contribution of scapula movement, patient’s arm is than taken through full external rotation range. Next, patient is asked to put the hand behind his back. Patient’s arm is than taken through full passive internal rotation range.
Expected Findings: Normal range of motion for external rotation is 80–90 degrees, and for internal rotation is when the patient is able to reach to the level of T4-T8.