e to humans, the waveforms can be analysed by computers to give an insight into

knee health.

Better diagnosis of osteoarthritis and more tailored treatments are possible, the
researchers said.

But they acknowledged that more research and trials in larger numbers of people
were needed first.

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a common degenerative joint condition, which can

cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joint.

Normally, the body can repair low-level damage to the joints - but with
osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage on the ends of bones breaks down and
cannot mend itself.
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In this study, involving Lancaster University, the University of Central Lancashire

and Manchester University, researchers "listened" to the noise produced by the
knees of 89 adults with osteoarthritis.

They were all asked to stand up from a seated position five times while acoustic
signals from their joints were recorded.

They assumed the knees would act like engineering structures - with "smooth and
well-lubricated surfaces" moving quietly against each other, and "uneven
movements of rough, poorly-lubricated surfaces" generating acoustic signals.