Which abnormal end-feel is an involuntary muscle contraction that prevents motion due to pain?

• A. Movement beyond abnormal limit with pain before end of ROM
• B. Involuntary muscle contraction that prevents motion due to pain
• C. Extreme hypermobility
• D. Rebound at end point

Answer: (B)

A muscle spasm end-feel is at play here. When a joint is moved to its end range and pain triggers an involuntary, reflex contraction of the surrounding muscles, the motion is suddenly halted by that muscle guarding. This end-feel feels like a hard, abrupt resistance caused by the body’s protective reflex, not a gradual give or a tissue stretch. It indicates acute pain with reflex muscle guarding rather than a permissive or lax joint.

The other scenarios aren’t describing this end-feel. Movement stopping due to pain during ROM describes pain limiting motion but not the end-range quality. Extreme hypermobility reflects laxity rather than an end-feel. Rebound at end point is a different phenomenon where there’s a sudden rebound after a firm end-feel, not an involuntary contraction to pain.