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• Goniometer


  A standard device for measuring angles
• Range of Motion (ROM)


  The measurement of joint angles
• What goniometers assess


  • Impairment - goniometry assesses range of motion (ROM)
  • To determine the functional status of a patient with a musculoskeletal or neurological disability
• Outer range


  The first one-third of arc of motion when one bony lever moves with respect to the other
• Middle range


  The distance covered between the first one-third and last one-third of arc of motion when one bony moves with respect to the other
• Inner range


  The last one-third of arc of motion when one bony lever moves with respect to the other
• Types of goniometer


  • Goniometer
  • Inclinometer
  • Electro goniometer
• Parts of universal goniometer

  • Fulcrum - Screw at the center that allows the moving arm to move freely
  • Moving arm - Aligns with the mobile part of the joint measured
  • Stationary arm - Aligns with the inactive part of the joint measured and does not move
• Goniometry is typically a measurement of active and passive motion of a joint
• For clarity of communication, measure one direction at a time (e.g. elbow flexion:130°, elbow extension:0°; not elbow flexion/extension:130°/0°)
• Always use the same goniometer, positioning, procedure, and examiner
• ROM measurements for different movements vary considerably
• ROM values often reduce with age without harm to a person's Quality of Life (QOL) and Activity daily living (ADL) performance
• It is recommended that measurements be taken at initial evaluation, and after every 4 to 6 weeks of treatment. The idea is that 4 to 6 weeks are the expected tissue healing time
• Normal range of motion (in degrees)

  • Hip flexion: 0-125
  • Hip extension: 0-60
  • Hip abduction: 0-45
  • Hip adduction: 0-20
  • Hip lateral rotation: 0-45
  • Hip medial rotation: 0-45
  • Knee flexion: 0-125
  • Knee extension: 0-10
  • Ankle plantar flexion: 0-45
  • Ankle dorsiflexion: 0-20
  • Foot inversion: 0-30
  • Foot eversion: 0-25
  • Shoulder flexion: 0-180
  • Shoulder extension: 0-60
  • Shoulder abduction: 0-180
  • Shoulder adduction: 0-45
  • Shoulder external rotation: 0-90
  • Shoulder internal rotation: 0-70
  • Elbow flexion: 0-145
  • Elbow extension: 145-0
  • Elbow pronation: 0-90
  • Elbow supination: 0-90
  • Wrist flexion: 0-90
  • Wrist extension: 0-70
  • Wrist abduction: 0-25
  • Wrist adduction: 0-35
  • Thumb MCP abduction: 0-50
  • Thumb MCP adduction: 40-0
  • Thumb MCP flexion: 0-55
  • Thumb MCP extension: 0-5
  • Thumb IP flexion: 0-80
  • Thumb IP extension: 0-20
  • Finger MCP abduction: 0-25
  • Finger MCP adduction: 20-0
  • Finger MCP flexion: 0-90
  • Finger MCP extension: 0-30
  • Finger PIP flexion: 0-100
  • Finger PIP extension: 100-0
  • Finger DIP flexion: 0-80
  • Finger DIP extension: 80-0
  • Cervical flexion: 0-45
  • Cervical extension: 45-0
  • Cervical rotation: 0-60/0-75
  • Cervical lateral flexion: 0-45/0-60
  • Trunk flexion (C7 to S1): 4 inches
  • Trunk extension (C7 to S1): 2 inches
  • Trunk lateral flexion (middle finger to lateral malleolus): 2 inches
• How to record shoulder joint measurements

  • Right active: Flexion 0-60°, Extension 0-40°, Abduction 0-80°, Adduction 80-0°, Internal Rotation 0-50°, External Rotation 0-60°
  • Left active: Flexion 0-180°, Extension 0-60°, Abduction 0-180°, Adduction 180-0°, Internal Rotation 0-70°, External Rotation 0-90°
• How to record knee joint measurements

  • Right active: Flexion 20°-100°, Extension 120°-20°
  • Left active: Flexion 0°-30°, Extension lag 10°
• Techniques for using a goniometer include: using the 0 to 180 degree system, always using the same goniometer, properly exposing and stabilizing the joint, avoiding trick movements, and measuring both active and passive range of motion
• Procedure for using a goniometer

  1. Self introduction and explanation

  2. Position the patient's limb to test

  3. Demonstrate the movement and unwanted movements

  4. Measure ROM of the unaffected side through bone palpation

  5. Place goniometer on fulcrum of joint, with stationary and movable arms

  6. Command patient to move joint in desired direction

  7. Stabilize the stationary body part

  8. Take an accurate reading on the goniometer

  9. Record the ROM for the joint

  10. Compare to normal or uninvolved limbs and interpret data
• How to measure shoulder joint movements with a goniometer

  • Shoulder flexion through elevation: Position, Axis, Stationary arm, Moving arm
  • Shoulder extension: Position, Axis, Stationary arm, Moving arm
  • Shoulder abduction/adduction: Axis, Stationary arm, Moving arm
• Lace goniometer on fulcrum of joint

  Stationary arm and movable arm
• Command your patient to move the joint in the desired direction


  Would you please bring your ears to the shoulder (for cervical lateral flexion) as much as you can
• Shoulder Flexion through elevation

  • Position
  • Axis
  • Stationary arm
  • Moving arm
• Shoulder Extension


  • Position
  • Axis
  • Stationary arm
  • Moving arm
• Shoulder Abduction/Adduction


  • Axis
  • Stationary arm
  • Moving arm
• Shoulder Abduction/Adduction


  • Position
  • Axis
  • Stationary arm
  • Moving arm
• Shoulder Internal/External rotation


  • Position
  • Axis
  • Stationary arm
  • Moving arm
• Elbow Flexion


  • Position
  • Axis
  • Stationary arm
  • Moving arm
• Elbow Extension


  • Position
  • Axis
  • Stationary arm
  • Moving arm
• Elbow Pronation


  • Position
  • Axis
  • Stationary arm
  • Moving arm
• Elbow Supination


  • Position
  • Axis
  • Stationary arm
  • Moving arm
• Other method pronation/supination using a pencil

  • Axis (Fulcrum)
  • Stationary Arm
  • Moving Arm
• Wrist Flexion and extension

  • Position
  • Axis
  • Stationary arm
  • Moving arm
• Wrist Ulnar/Radial deviation


  • Position
  • Axis
  • Stationary arm
  • Moving arm
• Finger flexion and extension

  • Position
  • Axis
  • Stationary arm
  • Moving arm
• Finger Grip


  • Normal
  • Limited ROM Grip
• Thumb Opposition


  Distance from distal palmar crease
• Hip flexion


  • Position
  • Axis
  • Stationary arm
  • Moving arm
• Hip Extension


  • Position
  • Axis
  • Stationary arm
  • Moving arm
• Hip Abduction/Adduction


  • Position
  • Axis
  • Stationary arm
  • Moving arm