When measuring ankle dorsiflexion ROM, at which location should the movable arm of the goniometer be aligned?

When measuring ankle dorsiflexion ROM, at which location should the movable arm of the goniometer be aligned?

• A. First met
• B. Fifth met
• C. Tibia
• D. Second met

Answer: (B)

When assessing ankle dorsiflexion, the moving arm should follow the moving segment—the foot. This angle is defined between the tibia (leg) and the foot, so the movable arm must line up with the long axis of the foot to reflect true dorsiflexion. So the movable arm is aligned with the fifth metatarsal, matching the foot’s longitudinal axis. Aligning with the tibia or with a different metatarsal would measure a different orientation and misrepresent the ankle’s motion.

When assessing ankle dorsiflexion, the moving arm should follow the moving segment—the foot. This angle is defined between the tibia (leg) and the foot, so the movable arm must line up with the long axis of the foot to reflect true dorsiflexion.

So the movable arm is aligned with the fifth metatarsal, matching the foot’s longitudinal axis. Aligning with the tibia or with a different metatarsal would measure a different orientation and misrepresent the ankle’s motion.