Upper Extremity ROM Norms/How to Measure

Movement

Norm

Fulcrum

Stationary Arm

Movable Arm

Special notes

Shoulder flexion

zero to 170
(or 180)

1 below
acromion
process

Parallel to trunk

Along
humerus

Shoulder extension

Zero to 60

1 below
acromion
process

Parallel to trunk

Along
humerus

Shoulder abduction

Zero to 170
(or 180)

1 below
acromion
process on the
back, posterior
shoulder

Parallel to trunk

Along
humerus

Shoulder external
rotation
*alternative
position

Zero to 90

On olecranon
process

Perpendicular to
forearm

Along forearm

Shoulder external
rotation
*traditional position

Zero to 80
(or 60
depending
on source)
just be sure

On olecranon
process

Perpendicular to
forearm

Along forearm

Ignore what the

wrist and elbow do
during this just
focus on the
humerus, goni
moves more lateral
Arm going
backward behind
the body, will not
exceed 60 degrees
or rotation of
shoulder is taking
place, optimal
position is prone
You want the
person to be
standing in
anatomical
position when you
do this because the
shoulder is already
externally rotated
so they dont have
to flip and rotate it
on the way up;
gravity eliminated
in prone
Arm out to the side
at 90 degrees
abduction and
moving forearm up
and down like a
flagger on the
airplane landing
strip *alternative
position
Arm at side and
flexed at 90
degrees
(gunslinger), move
hand away from

to say where
you got the
norm value
form
Shoulder internal
rotation
*alternative
position

Zero to 70

Olecranon
process

Perpendicular to
forearm

Along forearm

Shoulder internal
rotation *traditional
position

Zero to 60

Olecranon
process

Perpendicular to
forearm

Along forearm

Elbow flexion

Zero to 135

On the lateral
epicondyle

Along the
humerus

Along
forearm/radius

Forearm supination

Zero to 80
(or 90)

Proximal to
ulnar styloid
(volar)

Perpendicular to
floor

Resting on top
of wrist

Forearm supination
*alternate position

Zero to 80
(or 90)

Knuckle of
middle finger

Perpendicular to
floor

Parallel to
pencil

the body (toward

the therapist) with
the arm remaining
in contact with the
trunk
Arm out to the side
at 90 degrees
abduction and
moving forearm
down like a
scarecrow (toward
the person in front
of them)
*alternative
position
Arm at side and
flexed at 90
degrees
(gunslinger), move
hand toward body
(across stomach)
with the arm
remaining in
contact with the
trunk
Being in
anatomical
position; begin
with the goni
starting open at
180 degrees;
measuring flexion
and extension at
the same time; can
start at negative
value if pt.
hyperextends
8 goni; forearm
resting in
midposition; inside
of wrist; begin
with goni open to
180
Pencil being held
in neutral position

(3rd MCP joint)

Forearm pronation

Zero to 80
(or 90)

Proximal to
ulnar styloid
(dorsal)

Perpendicular to
floor

Resting on top
of wrist

Forearm pronation
*alternate position

Zero to 80
(or 90)

Knuckle of
middle finger
(3rd MCP joint)

Perpendicular to
floor

Parallel to
pencil

Wrist extension

Zero to 70

Distal to radial
stylus
(anatomical
snuff box)

Parallel to
radius

Parallel to
index finger
metacarpal

Wrist flexion

Zero to 80

Distal to radial
stylus
(anatomical
snuff box)

Parallel to
radius

Parallel to
index finger
metacarpal

in your fist
pointing to the
ceiling; begin with
goni open at 180
and then trace
pencil movement
with moveable arm
of goni
8 goni; forearm
resting in
midposition;
outside of wrist;
begin with goni
opened to 180
Pencil being held
in neutral position
in your fist
pointing to the
ceiling; begin with
goni open at 180
and then trace
pencil movement
with moveable arm
of goni
This is done
without any
influence of
gravity, sit in a seat
and rest hand in
neutral
midposition (like
a fence with your
hand); begin with
goni open to 180
This is done
without any
influence of
gravity, sit in a seat
and rest hand in
neutral
midposition (like a
fence with your
hand); begin with
goni open to 180