Device monitors noisy knees to diagnose osteoarthritis

The portable device could be used by health care professionals to assess patients with knee osteoarthritis regularly to see whether the knee is changing or responding to treatment.

In use, acoustic emissions (AE) sensors are attached to the surface of the knee to record short bursts of acoustic energy generated by stress on - and friction between - joints during weight-bearing movement.

An electrogoniometer is also attached to enable each acquired AE waveform to be linked to the angle of the knee. Data is processed and analysed based on the sound waveforms during different movement phases.

Lancaster University led the effort, which involved researchers from the University of Central Lancashire, Manchester University, the NHS and industry. 

According to Lancaster University, published results demonstrate that AE can distinguish not only between healthy and osteoarthritic knees, but also between knees in different age groups and differences in joint condition.

In a statement, Lancaster University’s Prof Goodacre, who is also a consultant rheumatologist, said: ‘Unlike an MRI scan, this approach can tell you what happens when the joint moves and it can also measure how the knee is changing over time.