Final answer:
Rehabilitation of a joint requires adherence to four principles of range of motion: verifying MD's orders, involving the patient actively, respecting pain thresholds, and aiming for full joint mobility within comfort limits.
Step-by-step explanation:
When dealing with an injured joint, like a shoulder injury from kayaking, there are four principles of range of motion (ROM) that are critical to rehabilitation and recovery. Firstly, it's important to verify the MD's orders to ensure that the exercises prescribed are suitable for the specific injury and patient's health status. Secondly, it is beneficial to make the patient as active a participant as possible in their treatment, as engaging in the motions actively can help improve recovery. Thirdly, during these exercises, it is crucial not to exceed the patient's pain threshold; respecting the patient's pain and stopping if the exercise becomes too painful is essential to prevent further injury. Lastly, the goal should usually be to put joints through full ROM, promoting full mobility and flexibility, as long as it does not contradict any of the previous principles, especially the pain threshold.
Each joint has its unique range of motion, with shoulder joints generally offering the greatest while being more stable. The carpal bones, in contrast, provide a high degree of mobility while being less stable. This balance between mobility and stability is an essential consideration in planning rehabilitation exercises.
In physical therapy, patients may be required to engage in exercises, like praxis, where they perform tasks based purely on verbal instructions, without demonstrations. This not only helps in improving the joint's functionality but also engages the patient's cognitive ability to interpret instructions and provides proprioceptive feedback, which is crucial for recovery.
Understanding and adhering to these principles ensure that the patient's pathway to recovery maintains the integrity of the injured joint while promoting healing and reinstating full function.