Align
Use the joint-specific reference landmarks.
MEDIVEERSETHE PRACTICAL HUBLOOK CLOSELY / UNDERSTAND CLEARLY
Clinical goniometer
Recognise a joint-angle measuring instrument and describe reproducible range-of-motion assessment.
REFERENCE GALLERY1 / 1 reference
1
Pivot
The joint between the two measuring arms.
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Clinical goniometer — reference view
Image: Voxymoron · Source / original · CC BY-SA 3.0Resized and converted to WebP; original colours retained.
Identify and explain
An angular scale relates the positions of two arms aligned with standard anatomical landmarks.
- Protractor or angular scale
- Fixed and moving arms
- Pivot
Measure
Distinguish active from passive movement and document the method.
Interpret
Consider pain, side-to-side comparison and functional significance.
At the viva table
Try answering aloud, then open the suggested answer. Examiner questions vary.
01 / What is the usual unit?
Degrees.
02 / Are active and passive ranges identical measures?
No. They assess related but different aspects of movement.
03 / Why use consistent landmarks?
To improve repeatability and comparison.
04 / Should painful movement be forced for a measurement?
No. Respect pain and the clinical precautions.