If AROM is strong and painful, what condition might this suggest?

When active range of motion (AROM) is described as strong but painful, it typically indicates that the muscles or tendons involved are capable of generating force, but there is a source of discomfort that may be localized to those tissues. This pattern often suggests an issue with the contractile elements, such as a local contractile or tendon lesion.

In cases where there is a tendon injury or a strain in the muscle, the individual can still move the joint effectively, meaning the muscle is intact enough to generate strength, but they experience pain during this movement. This pain can arise from various factors, such as a tear, inflammation, or overuse of the tendon.

When considering other conditions, a joint dislocation would generally present with significant limitation in AROM, as the joint would be out of alignment. A fracture would typically lead to both weakness and pain, and would likely also impair mobility significantly due to the mechanical disruption. An inflammatory condition could also cause pain, but would more often be associated with swelling and other systemic signs that may not align with maintaining strength during movement.

Therefore, the characteristic of strong but painful AROM points most clearly to a localized issue within the contractile or tendon structures themselves.