Lab:

Knee Measurements

Purpose: The purpose of this lab is to help further our understanding of the Q-angle and in class

get am idea of what an average Q-angle is. What is normal, abnormal, or what is good.

Background: Explain what goniometry is and its importance in assessing the knee.

Explain why girth measurements are taken. What is the Q angle and what is its

significance in determining injury risk?

Hypothesis: (Must deal with Q angle) I believe that the women in the class will have a greater
Q-angle than the men in the class

Materials: Goniometer, tape measure

Procedure:

1. Define the deformities, abnormalities and conditions listed in Analysis

Question #1.

2. Using your iPad find a photograph of the deformity . Copy and paste that

photograph in Analysis Question #2. Be sure to label each photograph.

3. Q Angle Measurements: For each of the people in your group, measure the Q

angle for both the right and left leg.

a. The stationary arm should be in line from the ASIS through the center

of the patella

b. Fulcrum is on the center of the patella

c. Movement arm is in line from the center of the patella to the tibial

tuberosity.

d. Record your measurements in a Data Table

4. Girth Measurements: For each of the people in your group, obtain the girth

measurements for both the right and left leg.

a. Draw a line across the joint line of the right knee

b. Draw a line 2 inches above the joint line

c. Draw a line 4 inches above the joint line

d. Draw a line 6 inches above the joint ine

e. Using a tape measure, find the circumference of the leg at each line.

f. Repeat steps a-e for the left knee

g. Record your measurements in a Data Table.

Background: Goniometry is the angle of measurement of range of motion in a joint.

goniometry is important in assessing the knee to help the athletic trainer understand

certain issues with a certain knee, furthering their knowledge in helping the athlete
recover from whatever injury or pain they are feeling. Girth measurements are important

so that the athletic trainer can get a better understanding of where the athlete is

physically. Q angle is the measurement of the quadriceps from the knee, the angle that it

produces is the angle that the femur takes to the hip. The greater the angle the wider the

hips or the more knock kneed the person might be. If a Q angle is High it can show a

higher risk for knee injury in the athlete due to the constant strain on the knee muscles
and ligaments.

Data: Make your 2 tables here

Analysis:

1. Deformities, abnormalities and conditions:

a. Genu valgum Knees remained together even if standing with feet together, knock kneed

b. Genu varum Knees remained apart even if standing with feet together
c. Genu recurvatum Knee joint deformity, knee bends backwards extension of tibiofemoral joint

d. Patella alta Small knee cap that develops above the joint, patella considered high

e. Patella baja Low lying patella bone, decreased range of motion

f. Squinting patella Patella appears to be pointing inward

g. Frog-eyed patella Patella appears to be pointing outwards

2. Photographs :

3. Normal Q angle values for males is 13 degrees and for females, 18 degrees.

Compare the measurements for your group to the normal values.

4. Compare girth measurements for each individual. Was there a significant

difference between the measurements of the left leg in comparison to the

right leg? There were no major differences between legs. There may have been a half
an inch give or take but nothing major.

Conclusion: Answer the following questions in essay form.

1. Was your hypothesis supported? Give evidence to support your statement.

2. Is anyone in your group at risk for knee injuries? Give evidence to support

your statement.

3. How could you use measuring Q angle to reduce the risk of knee injuries to

the ND athletic population?

Conclusion

My hypothesis was supported. According to the measurements women have a greater Q-angle than
men. This is because of the fact that women have wider hips. Although no one has an extreme case
of knee abnormalities, the women in the class are more susceptible to knee injuries because of their
greater Q-angle. You could reduce the amount of knee injuries by measuring the Q-angle because it
will give the athlete something to work on. Working on knee strength is key and if an athlete is way
over the average Q-angle, then that is where the athletic trainer and athletic should start in the
rehabilitation process.