Intermediate
Technical
IVT
End-Feel
The tactile sensation experienced by the examiner at the terminal point of passive range of motion testing.
Full Definition
End-feel refers to the quality of resistance felt by a clinician when passively moving a joint to its end range of motion. Normal end-feels include soft tissue approximation (soft), capsular stretch (firm), and bone-to-bone contact (hard). Abnormal end-feels such as empty, spasm, or springy block indicate pathology. Accurate documentation of end-feel findings is crucial for diagnosis and treatment planning in orthopedic rehabilitation reports.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate when used as a compound adjective (hard end-feel) but not as a standalone noun (the end feel was soft).
In Context
- "Knee extension demonstrated a hard end-feel consistent with osteophyte formation." — Joint assessment report
- "An empty end-feel was noted during shoulder abduction, suggesting significant pain inhibition." — Physical therapy evaluation
Also known as
terminal feel
end-range sensation
Don't confuse with
end-point
range limitation