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How to Measure Knee Angle?

Published in Knee Joint Measurement 2 mins read

The knee angle, specifically flexion and extension, is typically measured using a goniometer while the patient is in a supine position. According to the provided reference, the measurement involves placing the center of the goniometer over the lateral epicondyle of the knee.

Here's a breakdown of the process:

Goniometer Placement

  • Patient Position: The patient should be lying on their back (supine).
  • Goniometer Center: Place the center (fulcrum) of the goniometer over the lateral epicondyle of the knee. The lateral epicondyle is a bony prominence on the outer side of the knee.
  • Goniometer Arms: Align the arms of the goniometer. One arm is typically aligned along the femur (thigh bone), and the other is aligned along the fibula (lower leg bone).

Measurement Procedure

While the provided reference does not go into detail on the alignment of the goniometer arms and exact reading procedure, typical goniometric measurements are taken as follows:

  1. Initial Position: Have the patient start in a neutral position (e.g., full extension for measuring flexion).
  2. Movement: Instruct the patient to move their knee through the desired range of motion (flexion or extension).
  3. Alignment: Maintain proper alignment of the goniometer arms throughout the movement.
  4. Reading: Read the angle from the goniometer scale at the end of the movement. This indicates the range of motion in degrees.