Spinal ROM Measurement Flashcards
What is the purpose of the technique i.e. what are you measuring and why?
Measuring the total RoM of a joint during an active movement
Track progression of a programme
Check for impairment
How do you know whether the measurement is normal?
Correlates to norms
What principles are used in carrying out (application) the technique?
1) Explain procedure & informed consent
2) Ask patient to perform movement for the desired measurement
3) Use a tape measure to measure the distance between the specific body landmarks for that joint.
4) Measurements are taken three times, same clinician and an average reading is calculated.
Aim to minimise trick movements
What structures/processes are being assessed?
Synovial joint movement
Pain
Movement impairments
Precautions
/ contraindications
Fracture (new/unhealed)
Joint dislocation/subluxation
Ectopic Ossification
Myositis Ossificans
Joint infection
Joint Inflammation
Uncontrolled/excessive pain
Hypermobility
Haemophilia
Recent/acute soft tissue injury
Bony ankylosis
Fragile bone conditions
Cancer
In the region of a haematoma
After prolonged immobilisation
Are you feeling well in yourself today?
Have you got any injuries I should be aware of?
Have you recently suffered a fracture in this area?
Have you experienced any pain in this area?
What should be documented?
Date, Time, Patient name
Explanation of procedure & gaining informed consent
The joint movement that was measured
Landmarks used for measurement
Average values for measurement of joint and comparison to normal value.
Adverse affects?
Sign
How do you measure the RoM for Cervical
Spine Flexion
Start Position: Sitting, spine in neutral
Finish Position: Chin on trunk
Measurement: Tip of chin to sternal notch with tape measure
Trick movement: Mouth open
How do you measure the RoM for Cervical
Spine Extension
Start Position: Sitting, spine in neutral
Finish Position: Face towards ceiling (limit of neck extension)
Measurement: Tip of chin to sternal notch with tape measure
Trick movement: Mouth open
How do you measure the RoM for Cervical
Spine Left & Right Rotation
Start Position: Sitting, spine in neutral
Finish Position: Face turned to left/right shoulder
Measurement: Tip of chin to left/right acromion process with tape measure
Trick movement: Elevation of the shoulder girdle
How do you measure the RoM for Cervical
Spine Left and Right Side Flexion
Start Position: Sitting, spine in neutral
Finish Position: Left/right ear to left/right shoulder, respectively
Measurement: Mastoid process to left/right acromion process with a tape measure
Trick movement: Elevation of the shoulder girdle to the ear
How to measure movements in the cervical spine using a compass goniometer
Flexion/ Extension: Place on the lateral aspect of the head
Rotation: Place on the superior surface of the head
Side Flexion: Place on the forehead
How do you measure the RoM for Lumbar
Spine Flexion
Start Position: Standing, spine in neutral
Finish Position: Lumbar spine flexed, fingers on anterior of thigh/leg
Measurement: Fingertip (middle finger) to floor distance with tape measure
Trick movement: Knee flexion
How do you measure the RoM for Lumbar
Spine Extension
Start Position: Standing, spine in neutral
Finish Position: Lumbar spine extended, fingers on posterior aspect of thigh
Measurement: Fingertip to floor distance with tape measure
Trick movement: Knee flexion
How do you measure the RoM for Lumbar
Spine Left/Right Side Flexion
Start Position: Standing, spine in neutral
Finish Position: Lumbar spine side flexed to left/right, fingers on lateral
aspect of left/right thigh/leg
Measurement: Fingertip to floor distance
Trick movement: Trunk Flexion
How do you measure the RoM for Lumbar
Spine Rotation
Start Position: Sitting, spine in neutral, arms folded
Finish Position: Spine rotated to left/right
Measurement: Visual – full/ ¾/ ½/ ¼
