GONIOMETRY

Goniometry “Gonio” meaning angle; “Metron” meaning

measure.
Measurement of angles; measurement of angles created at
human joints by the bones of the body
Goniometer is a measuring instrument used to measure the
amount of motion available at a joint.

RANGE OF MOTION (ROM)

Range of Motion (ROM) - arc of motion that occurs at a joint

or series of joints.
Passive Range of Motion (PROM) - is the arc of motion
attained by an examiner without assistance by the subject.
Active Range of Motion (AROM) - arc of motion attained by a
subject during unassisted voluntary joint motion.
End – Feel - A barrier to further motion at the end of passive
range of motion

CERVICAL MOTIONS:

Flexion 45 ° - FIRM
1. Center fulcrum of the goniometer over the external auditory
meatus.
2. Align the proximal arm so that it is either perpendicular or
parallel to the ground.
3. Align the distal arm with the base of the nares. If a tongue
depressor is used, align the arm of the goniometer parallel to
the longitudinal axis of the tongue depressor.

Extension 45 ° - FIRM
1. The center fulcrum of the goniometer over the external
auditory meatus.
2. Align the proximal arm so that it is either perpendicular or
parallel to the ground.
3. Align the distal arm with the base of the nares. If a tongue
depressor is used, align the arm of the goniometer parallel to
the longitudinal axis of the tongue depressor.

Lateral 45° - FIRM

1. The center fulcrum of the goniometer over the spinous
process of the C7 vertebra.
2. Align the proximal arm with the spinous processes of the
thoracic vertebrae so that the arm is perpendicular to the
ground.
3. Align the distal arm with the dorsal midline of the head, using
the occipital protuberance for reference.

Rotation 60° - FIRM

1. The Center fulcrum of the goniometer over the center of the
cranial aspect of the head.
2. Align the proximal arm parallel to an imaginary line between
the two acromial processes.
3. Align the distal arm with the tip of the nose. If a tongue External Rotation 90°– 100° - FIRM
depressor is used, align the arm of the goniometer parallel to
the longitudinal axis of the tongue depressor.

SHOULDER MOTIONS:

Flexion 165 °– 180 ° - FIRM

ELBOW MOTIONS:

Extension 50°– 60° - FIRM

Abduction 170°– 180° - FIRM

Internal Rotation 70°– 90° - FIRM

WRIST MOTIONS:
Flexion 80° - FIRM
1. The center fulcrum on the lateral aspect of the wrist over the
triquetrum.
2. Align the proximal arm with the lateral midline of the ulna,
using the olecranon and ulnar styloid processes for reference.
3. Align the distal arm with the lateral midline of the fifth
metacarpal. Do not use the soft tissue of the hypothenar
eminence for reference.
Extension 70° - FIRM
1. The center fulcrum on the lateral aspect of the wrist over the
triquetrum.
2. Align the proximal arm with the lateral midline of the ulna,
using the olecranon and ulnar styloid process for reference.
3. Align the distal arm with the lateral midline of the fifth
metacarpal. Do not use the soft tissue of the hypothenar
eminence for reference.
Radial Deviation 20° - HARD
1. The enter fulcrum on the dorsal aspect of the wrist over the
capitate.
2. Align the proximal arm with the dorsal midline of the forearm. If
the shoulder is in 90 degrees of abduction and the elbow is in
90 degrees of flexion, the lateral epicondyle of the humerus
can be used for reference.
3. Align the distal arm with the dorsal midline of the third
metacarpal. Do not use the third phalanx for reference.
Ulnar Deviation 30° - FIRM
1. The enter fulcrum on the dorsal aspect of the wrist over the
capitate.
2. Align the proximal arm with the dorsal midline of the forearm. If
the shoulder is in 90 degrees of abduction and the elbow is in
90 degrees of flexion, the lateral epicondyle of the humerus
can be used for reference.
3. Align the distal arm with the dorsal midline of the third
metacarpal. Do not use the third phalanx for reference.
HIP MOTIONS:
KNEE MOTIONS:
Flexion 135° - SOFT
1. The center fulcrum of the goniometer over the lateral
epicondyle of the femur.
2. Align the proximal arm with the lateral midline of the femur,
using the greater trochanter for reference.
3. Align the distal arm with the lateral midline of the fibula, using
the lateral malleolus and fibular head for reference.
Extension 0 - FIRM
1. The center fulcrum of the goniometer over the lateral
epicondyle of the femur.
2. Align the proximal arm with the lateral midline of the femur,
using the greater trochanter for reference.
3. Align the distal arm with the lateral midline of the fibula, using
the lateral malleolus and fibular head for reference.
ANKLE MOTIONS:
Dorsiflexion 20° - FIRM
1. The center fulcrum of the goniometer over the lateral aspect of
the lateral malleolus.
2. Align the proximal arm with the lateral midline of the fibula,
using the head of the fibula for reference.
3. Align the distal arm parallel to the lateral aspect of the fifth
metatarsal.
Plantarflexion 50° - FIRM
1. Center fulcrum of the goniometer over the lateral aspect of the
lateral malleolus.
2. Align proximal arm with the lateral midline of the fibula, using
the head of the fibula for reference.
3. Align distal arm parallel to the lateral aspect of the fifth
metatarsal.
Inversion 35° - FIRM
1. The center fulcrum of the goniometer over the anterior aspect
of the ankle midway between the malleoli.
2. Align the proximal arm of the goniometer with the anterior
midline of the lower leg, using the tibial tuberosity for reference.
3. Align the distal arm with the anterior midline of the second
metatarsal.
Eversion 15° - HARD
1. The center fulcrum of the goniometer over the anterior aspect
of the ankle midway between the malleoli.
2. Align the proximal arm of the goniometer with the anterior
midline of the lower leg, using the tibial tuberosity for reference.
3. Align the distal arm with the anterior midline of the second
metatarsal.