Listening to the high frequency noises made by knees in motion can help clinicians better diagnose knee osteoarthritis, according to British researchers.
The technique involves attaching small microphones to the knees to detect high frequency sounds from the joint components as test subjects perform sitting-standing movements.
In a cohort study of 89 people with knee osteoarthritis, the method allowed clinicians to distinguish between healthy and osteoarthritic knees. The new approach worked well both in general practice and hospital settings.
The technique could fill a need for more precise knee diagnostics, said the researchers. Currently, there is poor correlation between the standard tools of measurement: self-reported pain symptoms and X-rays, they claimed.
“Potentially, this could transform ways in which knee osteoarthritis is managed,” said study lead John Goodacre, Ph.D., of Lancaster University, United Kingdom. “It will enable better diagnosis, and will enable treatments to be tailored more precisely according to individual knee condition.”
A portable device is in development for use by health professionals.
The study was published Wednesday in PLOS ONE.
