During ROM of the knee and ankle, what should you do if the client verbalizes pain?

• A. Continue ROM until pain subsides
• B. Discontinue ROM immediately
• C. Stop and rest for two minutes before continuing
• D. Report pain to supervisor after therapy

Answer: (B)

Pain during knee and ankle range-of-motion shows movement is no longer safe for the joint. The correct move is to discontinue the ROM immediately to prevent further injury or tissue irritation. Pain is a signal to stop and reassess rather than push through. After stopping, assess the client’s pain level and location, check for any visible signs like swelling, and follow your facility’s policy to notify the supervising nurse or therapist and document what happened. Depending on guidance, ROM may be adjusted or deferred to a later session. Continuing anyway or waiting to see if the pain subsides could lead to more harm, which is why stopping right away is the safest choice.