GIRTH

MEASUREME
NT
 What do you mean by Girth
Measurement ?
• Girth Measurement is a method to know
the changes in body dimensions over time.
• Girths are circumference measure at standard
anatomical sites around the body.
 #Asymmetry of body
parts
What to
#Joint Effusion
#Localised Swelling Measure?
#Muscular Changes

#Effects of Surgical
Procedures
What to measure with?
1. Tape Measure
2. Calipers
3. Perometry - infrared
laser
4. Bioimpedence
• Most commonly used
method in Physiotherapy
is measure tape and skin
caliper
Girth Measurements
• Upper Extremity
-Arm
-Forearm

• Lower Extremity
-Thigh
-Leg

• Other Areas
-Hands,Feet,Hips,Head
Arm Measurement
• Procedure:
• Patient position
• The arm is relaxed and hanging by the sideI
• Instructions
• The circumference is taken at the level of the mid-point between the acromion (boney
point of shoulder) and the olecranon (boney point of elbow) processes
1. Make sure the tape is not too tight or too loose, is lying flat on the skin, and is
horizontal.
Forearm Measurement

• Procedure:
• Patient position:
• The subject holds the arm out with the palm facing upwards.
• Instructions:
• The measurement is taken along the forearm at the point of the
largest circumference,which will usually be found closer to the
elbow
 Hip Measurement
• Procedure
• The hip girth measurement is a measure of the circumference around the hips at the
level of the greatest protrusion of the buttocks.
• patient position:
• The subject stands erect with their weight evenly distributed on both feet and legs
slightly parted
 Thigh Measurement
• Procedure :
• Patient position :
The subject stands erect with their weight evenly distributed on both feet and legs slightly
parted

• Instructions:
• The circumference measure is taken at 3 levels:
1. 3 inch above from the midpoint of patella
2. 6 inch above from midpoint of patella
3. 9 inch above from midpoint of patella
Leg Measurement
• Procedure :
• Patient position :
The subject stands erect with their weight evenly distributed on both feet and legs slightly
parted

• Instructions:
• The circumference measure is taken at 3 levels:
1. 3 inch below from the midpoint of patella
2. 6 inch below from midpoint of patella
3. 9 inch below from midpoint of patella