A device for the measurement of the length of a bone comprises a shaft having a first end and a second end, the shaft comprising a series of graduations towards the second end thereof, the graduations comprising at least a portion of a material having a density suitable to absorb short-wave electromagnetic radiation, e.g. absorb x-rays. The shaft may be adapted to fit within a cavity of a long bone. The device may include a removable handle. A method of using the device to measure the length of a cavity in a bone is also claimed. The device may be used to determine the required length of an intramedullary nail.
