What does "ROM" in a medical context refer to?

In a medical context, "ROM" stands for Range of Movement, which refers to the total motion available at a joint. It is a critical assessment parameter used by healthcare professionals to evaluate a patient’s flexibility, strength, and function of the musculoskeletal system. Understanding the range of movement is essential for diagnosing conditions, planning rehabilitation exercises, and monitoring recovery progress after injuries or surgeries.

The term encompasses both active movement, where the patient moves their limbs or joints independently, and passive movement, where a clinician or therapist assists in moving the patient’s limbs. Measuring ROM helps identify limitations, determine treatment needs, and set realistic therapeutic goals. The focus on "range" emphasizes the extent of movement rather than the speed or rate, which is what distinguishes it clearly from the other choices that focus on different aspects of movement.