Frequently Asked Questions On Goniometer

Range of Motion (ROM) is measured by your surgeon or therapist using a device called a Goniometer. You can purchase one yourself online so that you can do the measuring.

A goniometer consists of two hands connected by a joint which is usually attached to a circular piece that is labeled with multiple angular measurements. It is usually made of plastic or wood. As one limb is moved towards or away from the other limb, it is dragged along the circular piece and displays a measurement. Goniometers are available in various sizes depending upon the area of application.

Medical practitioners use goniometers to measure the range of motion found in a patient’s appendage before and after treatment in order to determine if the treatment is actually improving the patient’s condition.

• Goniometers are portable and are simple enough to be produced in masses in a short amount of time
• They are inexpensive and have many different purposes, ranging from those found in the medical industry to applications in physical science
• Goniometers have been used for over two hundred years and have contributed to the advancement of many different fields

• Goniometers must be carefully labeled with respect to the angles that they measure.
• Goniometers are limited by the materials that they can be constructed from
• They must be used in conjunction with a surface medium in order to provide any significant results