The Role of End Feel in Physiotherapy: Assessment, Management and Prognosis in Orthopedic Conditions

Abstract

For physical and occupational therapists, a limited range of motion (ROM) in patients is a significant impairment that affects efforts at rehabilitation. End feel, a sense of resistance at the end of passive joint movement, is a crucial component of musculoskeletal assessment in physiotherapy. It refers to the quality of resistance experienced by a therapist when applying passive overpressure at the end of a joint’s available range of motion (ROM). The concept of End feel was first introduced by Cyriax, a British orthopedist, in 1982. End feel is a powerful diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic tool, which provides critical insights into the nature of movement restrictions, guides treatment strategies, and helps predict recovery in orthopedic conditions. By mastering end-feel assessment and integrating it into clinical practice, physiotherapists can enhance patient outcomes and optimize rehabilitation strategies. This review provides insight into the role of end feel in physiotherapy and its significance in clinical decision-making.