suggestions from the field
ALAN R. SMITH, SPT, and WILLIAM J. BARNES, MS
One type of goniometer commonly used in physi cal therapy departments is the 180 degree doublearmed, stainless steel goniometer with arms approx imately 14 inches in length. This goniometer has no friction between the stationary and movable arms. Measurements must be taken quickly and read immediately with the goniometer in place because any movement by the patient or the physical thera pist or both may move the goniometer and alter the reading. This can be especially difficult for inexpe rienced individuals. A system for providing friction between the stationary and movable arms of the goniometer is desirable. A simple and inexpensive modification of the large, frictionless stainless steel goniometer is presented. MATERIALS 1. Any frictionless double-arm 180 degree goni ometer (Fig. 1) 2. Flat-head bolt (1-cm long, 6-32) and flat washer 3. Nylon insert lock-nut (6-32) 4. Round leather washer (1-2 mm thick) PROCEDURE Drill out the rivet in the goniometer and discard it and the thin washer between the movable and stationary arms. Cut a washer from a piece of scrap leather which sometimes can be obtained from an occupational therapy department or any shoe repair shop. The diameter of the leather washer should be as large as the width of the movable arm of the
©©® Fig. 1. Goniometer with materials needed for modification.
goniometer. Make a hole in the center of the leather washer large enough to fit over the bolt. The bolt is placed through the stationary arm, the leather washer is placed over the bolt, and the movable arm is placed over the leather washer. The flat washer is placed on top of the movable arm and the lock nut tightened to the desired amount of friction (Fig- 2). This simple procedure will allow accurate joint range-of-motion measurements to be taken and the arms of the goniometer to be held precisely in place while the physical therapist accurately reads the goniometer.
NUT >-FLAT WASHER
LEATHER WASHER
Mr. Smith is a senior student, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Related Professions, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS 67208. Mr. Barnes is an Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Related Professions, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS 67208.
180
BOLT
Fig. 2. Detail of goniometer modification procedure. Move able arm is on top.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ptj/article-abstract/58/2/180/4559693 by University of Texas at Dallas user on 13 February 2019
Modification of the Long-Armed Goniometer
ALAN R. SMITH, SPT, and WILLIAM J. BARNES, MS
One type of goniometer commonly used in physi cal therapy departments is the 180 degree doublearmed, stainless steel goniometer with arms approx imately 14 inches in length. This goniometer has no friction between the stationary and movable arms. Measurements must be taken quickly and read immediately with the goniometer in place because any movement by the patient or the physical thera pist or both may move the goniometer and alter the reading. This can be especially difficult for inexpe rienced individuals. A system for providing friction between the stationary and movable arms of the goniometer is desirable. A simple and inexpensive modification of the large, frictionless stainless steel goniometer is presented. MATERIALS 1. Any frictionless double-arm 180 degree goni ometer (Fig. 1) 2. Flat-head bolt (1-cm long, 6-32) and flat washer 3. Nylon insert lock-nut (6-32) 4. Round leather washer (1-2 mm thick) PROCEDURE Drill out the rivet in the goniometer and discard it and the thin washer between the movable and stationary arms. Cut a washer from a piece of scrap leather which sometimes can be obtained from an occupational therapy department or any shoe repair shop. The diameter of the leather washer should be as large as the width of the movable arm of the
©©® Fig. 1. Goniometer with materials needed for modification.
goniometer. Make a hole in the center of the leather washer large enough to fit over the bolt. The bolt is placed through the stationary arm, the leather washer is placed over the bolt, and the movable arm is placed over the leather washer. The flat washer is placed on top of the movable arm and the lock nut tightened to the desired amount of friction (Fig- 2). This simple procedure will allow accurate joint range-of-motion measurements to be taken and the arms of the goniometer to be held precisely in place while the physical therapist accurately reads the goniometer.
NUT >-FLAT WASHER
LEATHER WASHER
Mr. Smith is a senior student, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Related Professions, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS 67208. Mr. Barnes is an Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Related Professions, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS 67208.
180
BOLT
Fig. 2. Detail of goniometer modification procedure. Move able arm is on top.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ptj/article-abstract/58/2/180/4559693 by University of Texas at Dallas user on 13 February 2019
Modification of the Long-Armed Goniometer
![[Development of posture measuring apparatus using goniometer and inclinometer. 2. Fixation, precision and calibration of goniometer].](/assets/img/hold.png)
