Range of Motion (ROM) Exercises for the Shoulder

Key Points

• Shoulder ROM includes flexion/extension and abduction/adduction movements.
• Joint support at elbow and wrist is required throughout movement.
• Stop immediately if pain or resistance occurs.

Equipment

• No specialized supplies required
• Hand hygiene supplies

Procedure Steps

1. Perform routine pre-procedure actions: knock, identify resident, explain procedure, provide privacy, and perform hand hygiene.
2. Raise bed height if needed and position resident supine with bed flat.
3. Support shoulder movement with one hand under elbow and one hand under wrist.
4. Observe for objective pain cues before and during movement.
5. Move arm gently; stop if resistance is encountered.
6. Perform shoulder flexion by raising straight arm up and over head.
7. Ask resident about pain during movement; stop if pain is reported.
8. Return arm to side for extension.
9. Repeat flexion/extension as ordered in restorative plan.
10. Keeping arm straight, move arm out from body for abduction, then return to side for adduction.
11. Repeat abduction/adduction as ordered, maintaining elbow and wrist support.
12. Complete post-procedure safety and comfort checks, hand hygiene, and document ROM completed with any pain/skin or status changes.

Common Errors

• Moving through resistance → increased risk of joint or soft-tissue injury.
• Inadequate distal/proximal support → shoulder strain and discomfort.
• Continuing after pain report → avoidable resident harm and poor tolerance.
• Skipping documentation of tolerance → weak restorative tracking.

Related

• rehabilitation-versus-restorative-care - ROM is a core restorative intervention for function maintenance.
• promoting-joint-mobility-and-activity - Routine movement prevents stiffness and decline.