What 'Range of Motion' Actually Tells Your Physiotherapist

Range of motion (ROM) measures how far a joint can move in a given direction, recorded in degrees with a tool called a goniometer. It's one of the earliest and most objective signs of recovery we track, because it changes before strength does and often before pain fully resolves.

At your first visit, we record a baseline for the affected joint and compare it against the expected normal range and against your uninjured side. From there, every session's ROM reading becomes a data point on a curve — the trajectory matters more than any single number.

A plateau in ROM doesn't always mean something is wrong; some joints need strength work before further range becomes safe to access. That's why we combine ROM tracking with strength and functional testing rather than treating it in isolation.