Which joint has a normative ROM endpoint of 0-180 degrees for flexion?

• A. Elbow Flexion
• B. Cervical Flexion
• C. Shoulder Flexion
• D. Ankle Plantarflexion

Answer: (C)

Flexion at the shoulder can move from the arm resting at the side (0 degrees) up to overhead, reaching about 180 degrees. That full arc is possible because the shoulder joint works with the shoulder girdle (scapulothoracic rhythm) to allow the arm to rise from the side all the way overhead. Other joints don’t reach 180 degrees in their flexion: the elbow typically flexes to about 150 degrees, the neck (cervical) flexes to roughly 45 degrees, and the ankle in plantarflexion reaches about 40–50 degrees. So 0–180 degrees is characteristic of shoulder flexion.