When should ROM not be performed?

Range of Motion (ROM) exercises should not be performed when joints are red, warm, and/or swollen because these symptoms often indicate inflammation, infection, or injury in the joint area. Performing ROM exercises on affected joints in this state can exacerbate the condition, leading to more pain and potentially worsening the injury or inflamed state. It’s essential to assess the patient’s joint condition before initiating ROM activities.

Other symptoms, such as cold and stiff joints, may suggest a different issue but don’t automatically contraindicate ROM. If a patient feels tired, it’s necessary to evaluate their overall ability and willingness to engage in exercises rather than outright avoiding them. Likewise, a patient's nutritional status, indicated by whether they have eaten or not, is generally unrelated to the appropriateness of performing ROM exercises. Thus, the clear contraindication is where visible signs of inflammation are present.