Title: Preventing stiff joints and muscles
Course: Communicable Diseases Part 3 - Ethiopia (Full)

Preventing stiff joints and muscles

Figures 30.5 to 30.8 illustrate some of the ways you and the caregivers can help a patient to exercise their joints and muscles to prevent stiffness and contraction due to pain, or lying still for a long time.

Figure 30.5 Exercise the elbow by gently bringing the hand as close as possible to the shoulder.
Figure 30.6 Exercise the wrist by moving it around in circles.
Figure 30.7 Exercise the shoulder by lifting the arm up and bringing it behind the head and gently laying it back as far as possible.
Figure 30.8 Exercise the knee by lifting the thigh up and bringing it close to the chest as far as possible.