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Body Regions

This page contains reusable body region lists and examples that therapy companies can copy and paste into their own RehabAlpha schemas.

Body region lists are commonly used in:

  • Pain assessments
  • Orthopedic evaluations
  • Range of motion sections
  • Strength testing sections
  • Wound documentation
  • Sensation and numbness reporting
  • Swelling or edema tracking
  • Functional limitation questionnaires

If your clinicians repeatedly document the same anatomical areas, define them once with an options and reuse them across your forms.

When should I use a body region list?​

Use a reusable body region list when:

  • the same anatomical options appear in multiple forms
  • you want consistent wording across clinicians
  • you want reporting to be cleaner later
  • you want to avoid typing the same options repeatedly

For example, instead of manually entering "Right Shoulder", "Left Shoulder", "Right Knee", and "Left Knee" in several different inputs, you can define them once and reference them everywhere.

Example 1: Basic General Body Regions​

This is a simple, broad body region list that works well for many organizations.

{
  id: "body_regions_basic",
  type: "options",
  items: [
    "Head",
    "Neck",
    "Shoulder",
    "Arm",
    "Elbow",
    "Forearm",
    "Wrist",
    "Hand",
    "Back",
    "Hip",
    "Thigh",
    "Knee",
    "Lower Leg",
    "Ankle",
    "Foot"
  ]
}

Common use cases​

  • general pain location
  • basic injury location
  • functional complaint forms
  • quick screening templates

Example 2: Left / Right / Bilateral Body Regions​

This version is more useful for orthopedic and rehab documentation because it distinguishes side.

{
  id: "body_regions_laterality",
  type: "options",
  items: [
    "Left Shoulder",
    "Right Shoulder",
    "Bilateral Shoulders",
    "Left Elbow",
    "Right Elbow",
    "Bilateral Elbows",
    "Left Wrist",
    "Right Wrist",
    "Bilateral Wrists",
    "Left Hand",
    "Right Hand",
    "Bilateral Hands",
    "Left Hip",
    "Right Hip",
    "Bilateral Hips",
    "Left Knee",
    "Right Knee",
    "Bilateral Knees",
    "Left Ankle",
    "Right Ankle",
    "Bilateral Ankles",
    "Left Foot",
    "Right Foot",
    "Bilateral Feet",
    "Neck",
    "Upper Back",
    "Mid Back",
    "Low Back"
  ]
}

Why use this version?​

Use this version when laterality matters, such as:

  • ortho evaluations
  • pain tracking
  • joint-specific ROM documentation
  • post-surgical documentation
  • outpatient rehab

Example 3: Structured Body Regions with Standardized Values​

This version uses { label, value } objects. It is useful when you want clinicians to see friendly labels while saving stable, standardized values.

{
  id: "body_regions_structured",
  type: "options",
  items: [
    { label: "Left Shoulder", value: "left_shoulder" },
    { label: "Right Shoulder", value: "right_shoulder" },
    { label: "Bilateral Shoulders", value: "bilateral_shoulders" },
    { label: "Left Elbow", value: "left_elbow" },
    { label: "Right Elbow", value: "right_elbow" },
    { label: "Left Wrist", value: "left_wrist" },
    { label: "Right Wrist", value: "right_wrist" },
    { label: "Left Hip", value: "left_hip" },
    { label: "Right Hip", value: "right_hip" },
    { label: "Left Knee", value: "left_knee" },
    { label: "Right Knee", value: "right_knee" },
    { label: "Left Ankle", value: "left_ankle" },
    { label: "Right Ankle", value: "right_ankle" },
    { label: "Neck", value: "neck" },
    { label: "Upper Back", value: "upper_back" },
    { label: "Low Back", value: "low_back" }
  ]
}

Why use structured options?​

Use structured options when you want:

  • cleaner stored values
  • more consistent reporting
  • easier downstream filtering
  • stable values even if display text changes later

Example 4: Upper Extremity Regions​

This list is useful for OT, ortho, hand therapy, and upper extremity rehab workflows.

{
  id: "upper_extremity_regions",
  type: "options",
  items: [
    "Left Shoulder",
    "Right Shoulder",
    "Bilateral Shoulders",
    "Left Upper Arm",
    "Right Upper Arm",
    "Left Elbow",
    "Right Elbow",
    "Left Forearm",
    "Right Forearm",
    "Left Wrist",
    "Right Wrist",
    "Left Hand",
    "Right Hand",
    "Left Thumb",
    "Right Thumb",
    "Left Fingers",
    "Right Fingers"
  ]
}

This version is helpful for:

  • upper extremity pain
  • hand therapy
  • OT ADL impact sections
  • fine motor complaints
  • post-operative shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand care

Example 5: Lower Extremity Regions​

This list is useful for PT, gait, balance, and lower extremity orthopedic rehab.

{
  id: "lower_extremity_regions",
  type: "options",
  items: [
    "Left Hip",
    "Right Hip",
    "Bilateral Hips",
    "Left Thigh",
    "Right Thigh",
    "Left Knee",
    "Right Knee",
    "Bilateral Knees",
    "Left Lower Leg",
    "Right Lower Leg",
    "Left Ankle",
    "Right Ankle",
    "Bilateral Ankles",
    "Left Foot",
    "Right Foot",
    "Bilateral Feet",
    "Left Toes",
    "Right Toes"
  ]
}

This version is useful for:

  • knee rehab
  • gait impairments
  • ankle injuries
  • orthopedic evaluations
  • swelling and pain tracking
  • mobility limitations

Example 6: Spine and Trunk Regions​

This list works well for back pain, posture, mobility, and trunk control documentation.

{
  id: "spine_and_trunk_regions",
  type: "options",
  items: [
    "Neck",
    "Cervical Spine",
    "Upper Back",
    "Thoracic Spine",
    "Mid Back",
    "Low Back",
    "Lumbar Spine",
    "Sacral Region",
    "Pelvis",
    "Abdomen",
    "Chest"
  ]
}

This is helpful for:

  • back pain documentation
  • posture assessments
  • trunk control
  • functional mobility evaluations
  • generalized musculoskeletal complaints

Example 7: Wound and Skin Regions​

Sometimes wound or skin documentation needs broader body areas rather than joint-specific terms.

{
  id: "skin_and_wound_regions",
  type: "options",
  items: [
    "Head",
    "Face",
    "Scalp",
    "Neck",
    "Chest",
    "Abdomen",
    "Upper Back",
    "Low Back",
    "Buttocks",
    "Sacrum",
    "Left Upper Extremity",
    "Right Upper Extremity",
    "Left Lower Extremity",
    "Right Lower Extremity",
    "Left Heel",
    "Right Heel",
    "Left Foot",
    "Right Foot"
  ]
}

This version is useful for:

  • wound care
  • pressure injury documentation
  • skin integrity notes
  • edema location
  • sensation concerns

Using a body region list in an input​

Once you define an options, you can reference it from radioInput, selectInput, or multiSelectInput.

Example: Primary pain location​

{
  id: "primary_pain_location",
  type: "selectInput",
  label: "Primary Pain Location",
  options: "body_regions_laterality",
  placeholder: "Select a body region..."
}

Example: Multiple affected areas​

{
  id: "affected_regions",
  type: "multiSelectInput",
  label: "Affected Body Regions",
  options: "body_regions_laterality",
  placeholder: "Select all that apply..."
}

Copy/paste example: pain location section​

Here is a full example showing a reusable body region list used in a small pain section.

{
  id: "body_regions_laterality",
  type: "options",
  items: [
    "Left Shoulder",
    "Right Shoulder",
    "Bilateral Shoulders",
    "Left Elbow",
    "Right Elbow",
    "Left Wrist",
    "Right Wrist",
    "Left Hip",
    "Right Hip",
    "Left Knee",
    "Right Knee",
    "Left Ankle",
    "Right Ankle",
    "Neck",
    "Upper Back",
    "Low Back"
  ]
},
{
  id: "pain_template",
  type: "template",
  label: "Pain Assessment",
  appliesTo: "evaluation",
  children: [
    "pain_level_input",
    "pain_location_input",
    "pain_description_input"
  ]
},
{
  id: "pain_level_input",
  type: "numberInput",
  label: "Pain Level (0-10)",
  min: 0,
  max: 10,
  isInteger: true
},
{
  id: "pain_location_input",
  type: "selectInput",
  label: "Pain Location",
  options: "body_regions_laterality",
  placeholder: "Select a body region..."
},
{
  id: "pain_description_input",
  type: "textAreaInput",
  label: "Pain Description",
  placeholder: "Describe the pain..."
}

PT example​

A Physical Therapist may want body region options for pain, ROM, strength, and swelling.

{
  id: "pt_body_regions",
  type: "options",
  items: [
    "Left Shoulder",
    "Right Shoulder",
    "Left Hip",
    "Right Hip",
    "Left Knee",
    "Right Knee",
    "Left Ankle",
    "Right Ankle",
    "Neck",
    "Low Back"
  ]
},
{
  id: "pt_region_template",
  type: "template",
  label: "PT Region Selection",
  appliesTo: "evaluation",
  children: [
    "pt_primary_region",
    "pt_secondary_regions"
  ]
},
{
  id: "pt_primary_region",
  type: "selectInput",
  label: "Primary Body Region",
  options: "pt_body_regions"
},
{
  id: "pt_secondary_regions",
  type: "multiSelectInput",
  label: "Additional Involved Regions",
  options: "pt_body_regions"
}

OT example​

An Occupational Therapist may want a more upper-extremity-focused region list.

{
  id: "ot_body_regions",
  type: "options",
  items: [
    "Left Shoulder",
    "Right Shoulder",
    "Left Elbow",
    "Right Elbow",
    "Left Wrist",
    "Right Wrist",
    "Left Hand",
    "Right Hand",
    "Left Thumb",
    "Right Thumb",
    "Left Fingers",
    "Right Fingers"
  ]
},
{
  id: "ot_region_template",
  type: "template",
  label: "OT Upper Extremity Regions",
  appliesTo: "evaluation",
  children: [
    "ot_primary_region",
    "ot_functional_impact"
  ]
},
{
  id: "ot_primary_region",
  type: "selectInput",
  label: "Primary Affected Region",
  options: "ot_body_regions"
},
{
  id: "ot_functional_impact",
  type: "textAreaInput",
  label: "Functional Impact",
  placeholder: "Describe how this affects daily tasks..."
}

Outpatient ortho example​

This example shows a common outpatient orthopedic pattern.

{
  id: "ortho_regions",
  type: "options",
  items: [
    "Left Shoulder",
    "Right Shoulder",
    "Left Elbow",
    "Right Elbow",
    "Left Wrist",
    "Right Wrist",
    "Left Hip",
    "Right Hip",
    "Left Knee",
    "Right Knee",
    "Left Ankle",
    "Right Ankle",
    "Neck",
    "Low Back"
  ]
},
{
  id: "ortho_template",
  type: "template",
  label: "Orthopedic Intake",
  appliesTo: "evaluation",
  children: [
    "ortho_primary_region",
    "ortho_symptom_regions",
    "ortho_mechanism_of_injury"
  ]
},
{
  id: "ortho_primary_region",
  type: "selectInput",
  label: "Primary Region",
  options: "ortho_regions"
},
{
  id: "ortho_symptom_regions",
  type: "multiSelectInput",
  label: "All Symptomatic Regions",
  options: "ortho_regions"
},
{
  id: "ortho_mechanism_of_injury",
  type: "textAreaInput",
  label: "Mechanism of Injury",
  placeholder: "Describe how the injury occurred..."
}

Choosing the right version​

Use this quick guide:

  • Basic General Body Regions: best for broad general documentation
  • Left / Right / Bilateral Regions: best for rehab and ortho workflows
  • Structured Regions: best when you want clean saved values
  • Upper Extremity Regions: best for OT, hand therapy, and UE rehab
  • Lower Extremity Regions: best for PT, gait, and LE orthopedic rehab
  • Spine and Trunk Regions: best for neck and back documentation
  • Wound and Skin Regions: best for skin integrity and wound workflows

Naming tips​

Try to name body region lists clearly so they are easy to reuse later.

Good examples:

  • body_regions_basic
  • body_regions_laterality
  • upper_extremity_regions
  • lower_extremity_regions
  • spine_and_trunk_regions

Avoid vague IDs like:

  • regions1
  • body_list
  • choices_a

Common mistakes​

1. Mixing different naming styles​

For example, avoid mixing:

  • "Left Knee"
  • "L Knee"
  • "Lt. Knee"

unless you have a specific reason. Pick one naming convention and keep it consistent.

2. Making one list try to do everything​

A single mega-list can become hard to browse.

Instead, it is often better to keep separate lists for:

  • general body regions
  • upper extremity regions
  • lower extremity regions
  • spine/trunk regions
  • wound/skin regions

3. Saving display labels when you really want standardized values​

If reporting consistency matters, use structured options like:

{ label: "Left Knee", value: "left_knee" }

instead of storing many slightly different text versions.

4. Forgetting about laterality​

In rehab settings, laterality often matters. A generic "Knee" option may not be specific enough for many workflows.

You may also want to build related pages for:

  • Assistance Levels
  • Patient Positions
  • Precautions
  • Symptoms
  • Pain
  • ROM & Strength
  • Orthopedic Templates
  • Wound Care

Next step​

After adding this page, strong companion articles would be:

  • lists/patient-positions.md
  • lists/precautions.md
  • sections/pain-and-symptoms.md

These pages pair naturally with body region lists.