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Wrist ROM (range of movement)

Information for patients

Physiotherapy

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Flexion and extension

Wrist placed over the edge of a table, forearm is fully supported by the table
Fig A.

Place your wrist over the edge of a table allowing the table to fully support your forearm (Fig A).

Wrist is bending down over the edge of the table
Fig B.
Wrist is bending upwards
Fig C.

Slowly bend the wrist down and up as far as you can (Figs B and C).

Pronation and supination

Hand and forearm placed on a table top
Fig A.

Place your hand and forearm on a table (Fig A).

Palm is turned toward the ceiling
Fig B.
Palm is faced down
Fig C.

Turn your palm down and then turn your palm up as far as possible (Figs B and C).

Radial and ulnar deviation

Side of the hand is over the edge of a table allowing the table to fully support your forearm
Fig A.

Place the side of your hand over the edge of a table allowing the table to fully support your forearm (Fig A).

Moving the wrist down toward the little finger
Fig B.
Side of the hand is over the edge of a table allowing the table to fully support your forearm
Fig C.

Move your wrist down toward you little finger and up toward you thumb as far as possible (Figs B and C).

Assisted wrist movements

Elbows are placed on the table with palms touching and fingers interlocked

Place your elbows onto a table and interlock your fingers with the palms touching (Fig A).

wrist bending left
Fig B.
wrist bending right
Fig C.

Move your wrists from side to side allowing the affected wrist to be helped by your other hand (Figs B and C).

twisting the wrist to look at the back of the hand
Fig D.
twisting the other wrist to look at the back of the hand
Fig E.

Now twist the wrists so that you can look at the back of each hand individually (Figs D and E).

wrist bending toward the little finger
Fig F.
wrist bending toward the thumb
Fig G.

Now bend the wrists towards your little fingers and then towards the thumbs as far as possible (Figs F and G).

Patient experience

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.

This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.

To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the Patient Experience Department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print.

T: 01642 835964
E: [email protected]

The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW.
Telephone: 01642 850850
STW0059