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Range of motion

Cervical and Thoracolumbar ROM

Cervical rotation is the spine range with the most direct ADL consequence: shoulder checks while driving and community mobility depend on it, which makes it a standard documentation point in driving-fitness conversations. Trunk ranges matter most for lower body dressing and floor-reach tasks.

Normal values

Cervical spine, normal values (AAOS)verify before clinical use
MotionDegrees
Flexion0-45
Extension0-45
Lateral flexion (each side)0-45
Rotation (each side)0-60

Degrees from neutral head position. Confirm against the AAOS booklet or Norkin & White before clinical use.

Source: AAOS Joint Motion (1965)

Thoracolumbar spine, normal values (AAOS)verify before clinical use
MotionDegrees
Flexion0-80
Extension0-25
Lateral flexion (each side)0-35
Rotation (each side)0-45

Degrees from neutral standing. Confirm against the AAOS booklet or Norkin & White before clinical use.

Source: AAOS Joint Motion (1965)

Clinical notes

  • Cervical rotation near the normal 60 degrees per side supports mirror-free shoulder checks; meaningfully less deserves a note in any driving discussion, alongside facility policy.
  • Measure cervical motion seated with the trunk stabilized against the chair back; shoulders creep into every cervical measurement otherwise.
  • Lower body dressing without adaptive equipment wants combined trunk and hip flexion; when spinal precautions prohibit it, that combination is exactly what reachers, sock aids, and long-handled sponges replace.
  • For spinal-precaution patients (post-laminectomy or fusion), document what bending is prohibited by protocol rather than measured range; the surgeon's protocol overrides norms.

References

  1. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Joint Motion: Method of Measuring and Recording. Chicago: AAOS; 1965. Values as commonly reproduced in goniometry references (e.g., Norkin & White, Measurement of Joint Motion).