Flexion And Extension
I. Foot. - The patient lying or sitting. The operator, grasping the ankle with one hand
and the toes with the other, moves the foot up and down as far as the limits of the joint
permit. Ten to eighteen times. It is used for deformities, and especially for stiffness of
the Achilles tendon. (Passive and Duplicated Active.)The movement may also be performed on
both feet at the same time, as demonstrated in Fig. 67. FIG. 67. Flexion and Extension of the
Feet.
II. Leg. - The patient is in a half-lying (see Figs. 70 and 71) or standing (see Fig. 69)
position. The operator places one hand at the knee, the other either on top of the instep
or underneath the sole of the foot. The patient generally moves the limb up and down while
the operator resists. (Duplicated Active.) It may also be a passive movement, and is used
for stiffness in the kneeand hip-joint, and for contraction of certain muscles. In Fig. 68
we have demonstrated the single active, standing flexion and extension of the leg. Until
the patient gets used to the exercise, it is safest to have him grasp something to support
himself and prevent him from falling. The effect of this movement is not confined to the
extremity only, but the abdominal muscles are strongly and effectively acted upon. It is
therefore very valuable in the treatment of constipation and hemorrhoids. FIG. 68. Standing Flexion and Extension of the
Leg.
III. Arms. - The patient sitting. The operator, standing behind, grasps the patient's
wrists, telling him to keep his elbows close to the body and to move the arms up and down,
the operator making suitable resistance. Ten times. It is a circulatory movement.
(Duplicated Active.)
IV. Arm. - The patient sitting. The operator, standing in
front, grasping the wrist with one hand and around the triceps muscle with the other, the
patient moves the arm up and down, the operator making suitable resistance. Ten to fifteen
times. The motion may also be passive, and is used for acting upon the joints and for
certain local affections. (Passive or Duplicated Active.)
FIG. 69. Flexion and Extension of the
Leg.
FIG. 70. Leg
Extension
FIG. 71. Leg
Extension
V. Hand. - The patient sitting. The operator, in front, takes the fingers firmly in one
hand, the other grasping the wrist, and works up and down, about ten times. It is used for
stiffness of the wrist and for writers' cramp. (Passive or Duplicated
Active.)
Flexion and extension are used principally for regulating the circulation
in certain parts and for relieving local congestion.
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