Limited range of motion

Motion may be limited because of a problem within the joint, swelling of tissue around the joint, stiffness of the ligaments and muscles, or pain.

A sudden loss of range of motion may be due to:

• Dislocation of a joint
• Fracture of an elbow or other joint
• Infected joint (hip is most common in children)
• Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (in boys 4 to 10 years old)
• Nursemaid elbow, an injury to the elbow joint in young children
• Tearing of certain structures within the joint, such as the meniscus or cartilage
• Lose bodies which have become stuck in the joint

Loss of motion may occur if you damage the bones within a joint. This may happen if you have:

• Broken a joint bone in the past
• Frozen shoulder
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis (chronic form of arthritis)
  

Brain, nerve, or muscle disorders can damage the nerves, tendons, and muscles, and can cause loss of motion. Some of these disorders include:

• Cerebral palsy (group of disorders that involve brain and nervous system functions)
• Congenital torticollis (wry neck)
• Muscular dystrophy (group of inherited disorders that cause muscle weakness)
• Stroke or brain injury
• Volkmann contracture (deformity of the hand, fingers, and wrist caused by injury to the muscles of the forearm)

Your health care provider may suggest exercises to increase muscle strength and flexibility.

Make an appointment with your provider if you have difficulty moving or extending a joint.

The provider will examine you and ask about your medical history and symptoms.

You may need joint x-rays and spine x-rays. Laboratory tests may be done.

Physical therapy may be recommended.

Debski RE, Patel NK, Shearn JT. Basic concepts in biomechanics. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR, eds. DeLee, Drez, & Miller's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 2.

Magee DJ, Manske RC. Primary care assessment. Magee DJ, Manske RC, eds. Orthopedic Physical Assessment. 7th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2021:chap 17.

Updated by: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.