: In patients with arthritic knee joint defects the course of movement, the application of muscle forces and the degree of freedom of the joints of the lower limbs differs significantly from the corresponding data of a healthy proband. The enhanced acoustic-kinetic joint analysis based on AEA, ground force reaction measurements and video enhanced gait analysis permits the correlation of force data, joint angles and acoustic emission significant of defective joint cartilage regions. This diagnostic procedure permits a quantifiable and detailed non invasive diagnosis of lesion patterns in the arthritic knee joint by means of a synchronization algorithm. The AEA shows lesion signals in the first and third knee bend of the patient. The lesion signals are assigned to the joint angles and ground reaction force. Comparing the kinematical data there is a shift between the curves of the hip and the knee angle. Overall the force data represent an imbalance between the left and the right leg during the knee bends. The presentation of the three measurement systems, the method, the synchronization of the data sets and their final assessment as well as the occurring difficulties during a case of a clinical study are discussed. This would be helpful regarding further patients of the clinical study

Clinical studies have shown that during standardized movements the Acoustic Emission (AE) from lesions in articular cartilage can be assessed. Specific lesions produce specific acoustic signals, therefore it is possible to evaluate the character of cartilage damage. Consequently it is possible to evaluate the condition of the joint cartilage in order to enhance therapy. Patients performed series of knee bends, first on a plane surface in order to assess the cartilage lesions. Then patients performed knee bends on boards simulating orthopaedic insoles by means of inner and outer edge elevations. Insoles aim at relieving the lesioned areas of cartilage from loads and strain. AEA monitoring reveals the effects of a shift of the zone of load transfer immediately and is an adequate tool for the diagnosis as well as the monitoring of therapeutic measures.