Which end feel is described as firm due to joint capsule and surrounding tissues?

• A. Hard
• B. Firm
• C. Soft
• D. Empty

Answer: (B)

End feel describes the sensation felt at the end of passive joint movement. A firm end feel is produced when the joint capsule and surrounding ligaments are tensioned as you approach end range, giving a noticeable but not hard resistance—a springy limit to motion created by capsuloligamentous structures. This distinguishes it from a hard end feel, which comes from bone-on-bone contact, and from a soft end feel, which comes from soft tissue compression. An empty end feel occurs when pain prevents reaching an end feel, so there’s no definitive sensation of resistance. So the described end feel—firm due to the joint capsule and surrounding tissues—is the capsuloligamentous, firm type.