Acoustic emission sensor technology used in aerospace could be key to detecting the "subsonic" sound of cracking in people’s joints, an early sign of osteoarthritis (OA).

skin patch-based sensor to detect arthritis.Engineers at Cardiff University, Wales, are investigating these sensors for the development of an OA-tracking skin patch.

A smart patch could reduce the cost of diagnosis via X-ray and MRI scans and improve the lives of patients through early intervention and targeted treatments.

The researchers will trial prototype knee patches to compare the sounds of healthy joints with those of subjects with early-stage OA.