ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENT
structure cause the shortening/LLD
- Measurement of the length, for
edema, inflammation, swelling,
irregularities, leg-length, atrophy
and heel-height
MEASUREMENTS INVOLED
Leg-length measurement
Muscle Bulk measurement
Extensor Lag
Limb Girth Measurement
Volumetric Measurement
1. LEG LENGTH MEASUREMENT
- To check for the length of LE; one
limb from another.
a. True Leg
Length/Anatomical/Structural
- May be because of disease;
congenital; Weight-bearing or non-
weight bearing.
- Landmarks: ASIS to Medial
Malleolus
- Normal Difference: 1.0-1.5cm
- Significant Difference: >1.5cm
- 15-20cm apart
b. Apparent Leg Length
- Caused by muscle or joint
contracture or any pathologic
condition that resulted to leg
length discrepancy; usually seen in
Weight-Bearing.
- Landmarks: Umbilicus to Medial
Malleolus
- Normal Difference: 1.0-1.5cm
- Significant Difference: >1.5cm
- 15-20 cm apart
NOTE: If obese or higher/larger muscle
bulk: Lateral Malleolus can be used.
- Always stabilize the pelvis
(maintain the neutral position)
- For pt. who has scoliosis; supine
with neutral pelvis
- For pt. that cant supine; use
segmental measurement in sitting.
2. SEGMENTAL LEG-LENGTH
MEASUREMENT
- When you want to know what
a. For Coxa Vara/Valga; position
of the hip
- Landmarks: ASIS to greater
trochanter
b. For Femoral Shaft
- Landmarks: Greater Trochanter to
Lateral Knee Joint Line
c. For Tibial Shaft
- Landmarks: Medial Knee Joint to
Medial Malleolus.
DOCUMENTATION
True Leg Length: Landmarks
used:_______ (in__)
(L) Differen
ce
Length 90 87 3
Findings: 3 cm difference, (L) >
Significance: Leg Length Difference
may affect patients performance of
ADLs such as standing and ambulation
3. MUSCLE BULK MEASUREMENT
- To check for muscle atrophy
- Measuring the bulkiest part of the
muscle
- Most common points: Usually for
athlete; pts undergone surgery.
- Landmarks for LE
a. 20 cm above Medial Joint Line of
Knee
b. 10 cm above Medial Joint Line of
Knee
c. 9 cm below fibular head
- Landmarks for UE (BICEPS
BRACHII)
a. From medial epicondyle of
humerus to the bulkiest part of
the muscle to circumference.
b. Alternate: Acromion process to
the bulkiest part to
circumference.
- Landmarks for UE
(BRACHIORADIALIS)
 a. From Medial epicondyle of humerus
to the bulkiest part to
circumference
b. Alternate: Lateral Epicondyle of
humerus to bulkiest part to
circumference
NOTES:
- (N) Difference for (N)
Individual: 1-2 cm
- (N) Difference for Athletes: 5-8
cm
DOCUMENTATION:
- Always write the landmark
(palpable one)
d. Bend the knees and relax; EYE
LEVEL
e. 2 rulers needed; (1) One heel to
other heel (2) in cm, measure from
heel to the ruler.
- (N) Measurement: 1-1.5cm
- For patient with extensor lag, place
the knee in extension and hanging
especially in ICING because the
gravity will put the knee in
extension.
LIMB GIRTH MEASUREMENT
- Swelling, edema
- Measuring the circumference
- If both limbs are swelled; measured
the baseline

LE
(L) Difference
50cm 49cm 1cm
47cm 45cm 2cm UE LANDMARKS
76cm 73cm 3cm
FINDINGS: 1. Acromion process
2. Medial Epicondyle of humerus
SIGNIFICANCE:
LE LANDMARKS
- The 1st one to be measure is
the BASELINE 1. Patella
- Unless the patient has a 2. Medial Tibial Plateau
neuromuscular disease wherein 3. Lateral/Medial Malleoli
only one LE has atrophied etc, MOST COMMON POINTS
get the measurement of the
normal limb: baseline - 6 inches below patella
- 2 inches below patella
EXTENSOR LAG - 4 inches below patella
- 6 inches above patella
- Heel height difference
- 9 inches above patella
- Usually caused by tight hamstrings,
contracture, etc. Procedure:
- Can be seen in Pts ACL
reconstruction, surgery and knee UE
problem. - Patient lies in supine
- Lack of motion in knee extension - Measure in cm
especially in the terminal range (0- - Compare with other side
20)
- Procedure LE
a. Put towel on patella - Supine or short sitting
b. Position the patient in prone
c. Neutral pelvis 3 TRIALS THEN GET AVERAGE (cm)
HAND SWELLING
FIGURE OF 8
- Used in irregular surfaces/distal
exterior such as hands and feet
HAND PROCEDURE
- Ulnar styloid process
- Distal aspect of radial styloid
process
- 5th MCP Joint Line
- Palmar aspect of 2nd MCP
- Back to Ulnar Styloid Process
FEET
- Long sitting
- Tibialis Anterior Tendon
- Just distal to navicular tuberosity
- Plantar aspect of foot
- 5th MTP base
- Tibialis Anterior Tendon
- Distal to tip of medial malleolus
- Distal to tip of lateral malleolus
- Tibialis Anterior
OTTAWA ANKLE RULES
Tenderness over lateral malleolus to 6
cm proximally
Tenderness over medial malleolus to 6
cm proximally
Tenderness over navicular
Tenderness over base of 5th metatarsal
VOLUMETRIC MEASUREMENT