If active movement is dysfunctional and passive movement is dysfunctional, what is the dysfunction called?

• A. Mobility dysfunction
• B. Stability dysfunction
• C. Pain dysfunction
• D. Coordination dysfunction

Answer: (A)

Active movement depends on how well you can voluntarily move and control the limb, while passive movement depends on the joint’s structural ability to move without muscle effort. If both are limited, the problem lies in the joint’s mobility itself—the tissues and joint structures that allow movement. This points to mobility dysfunction rather than a neuromuscular control issue.

Stability dysfunction would show up when passive movement is okay but active control is poor, indicating a failure to control movement rather than a restriction in how far the joint can move. Pain dysfunction can limit movement as well, but the clear sign here is a genuine mobility limitation: the joint itself won’t move freely whether you or someone else attempts it.