During postoperative ROM, limbs should be moved through AROM and PROM to prevent contractures.

• A. Move through AROM and PROM to prevent contractures
• B. Perform only passive ROM
• C. Avoid movement to protect incisions
• D. Move only the intact limb

Answer: (A)

Maintaining joint mobility after surgery hinges on moving the limb through both active and passive ranges to prevent contractures. Active range of motion involves the patient voluntarily moving the joint, which helps preserve muscle strength, tendon length, and proprioception, while promoting circulation. Passive range of motion is performed by another person or device to gently move the joint when the patient cannot or should not actively use the muscles, protecting healing tissues and helping prevent stiffness. Using both AROM and PROM early on keeps soft tissues from shortening, reduces scar tissue formation, and maintains the capsule and ligaments in a more normal length-tension state, all of which lowers the risk of contractures as healing progresses. Moving only passively misses the benefits of muscle engagement; avoiding movement entirely increases stiffness; moving only the unaffected limb neglects the operated limb’s needs.