What is the normal range of motion for wrist abduction (radial deviation)?

What is the normal range of motion for wrist abduction (radial deviation)?

• A. 0-15°
• B. 0-65°
• C. 0-30°
• D. 0-25°

Answer: (D)

Wrist abduction, or radial deviation, is moving the hand toward the thumb side at the radiocarpal joint. The normal range from neutral is about 0 to 25 degrees. This upper limit reflects the wrist’s anatomy and ligaments, which constrain movement on the radial side more than on the ulnar side, so the arc of motion is relatively small. Values near 25 degrees are considered normal for most people, making 0-25 degrees the best answer.

Wrist abduction, or radial deviation, is moving the hand toward the thumb side at the radiocarpal joint. The normal range from neutral is about 0 to 25 degrees. This upper limit reflects the wrist’s anatomy and ligaments, which constrain movement on the radial side more than on the ulnar side, so the arc of motion is relatively small. Values near 25 degrees are considered normal for most people, making 0-25 degrees the best answer.