ROM
Range of motion
ROM (range of motion) is a measurement of how well you can move a joint. It is typically measured during a physical therapy session using a device called a goniometer.
How is ROM measured?
A goniometer is a two-armed device that can bend with your limbs or joints. Physical therapists use a goniometer to measure how far you can move a joint in specific directions. Together, these individual measurements comprise your ROM.
In some cases, physical therapists may also use an inclinometer or even a good ol' tape measurer to measure ROM, depending on the joint they're interested in.
Are there different kinds of ROM?
There sure are. Physical therapists may refer to three different types of ROM and ROM exercises, which are:
- Passive range of motion (PROM): This is range of motion achieved when someone else is moving your joint.
- Active range of motion (AROM): This is range of motion achieved when only you are moving your joint.
- Active assistive range of motion (AAROM): This is range of motion achieved when you are moving your joint with the assistance of another person or a machine.
You may also see limited range of motion, a condition in which a person's joint is not as flexible as it should be, referred to as LROM.
Example
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A term that technically stands for "read-only memory," but it most often refers to games played with software that emulates a game console system, such as a Nintendo, PlayStation, or other console; gets the name "ROM" because the file is an exact replica of the memory on the original cartridge.