What is range of motion and why is it important to maintain after a spinal cord injury? - Laura Wehrli, PT

Range of motion is a term that we use as therapists to indicate the flexibility of someone’s arms, legs or trunk. And so, we often discuss range of motion in that we would like the extremities—the legs and the arms—to be stretched and maintain their flexibility, which is really important for those mobility skills. The activities that person will be doing throughout that day in order to have that flexibility, they need to maintain their range of motion, as well as to be able to sit in the wheelchair in a way that is stable, and upright and prevents pressure ulcers.