Evaluating the Accuracy of Knee Acoustic Emissions Classification of Varus Thrust

Poster Presenter: Kari Falaas, MD, Resident, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Poster Title: Evaluating the Accuracy of Knee Acoustic Emissions Classification of Varus Thrust

Poster Session C: 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28

What is your poster about?

“Knee acoustic emissions (KAE) are emerging as a potential non-invasive tool to assess overall knee health. These signals may reflect underlying joint pathology, including early or established osteoarthritis (OA). We investigated whether KAE can be used to identify varus thrust, a dynamic biomechanical marker associated with OA progression.”

Why did you decide to investigate this topic?

“Detecting early signs of knee OA and risk factors like varus thrust is challenging. KAE offers a potentially low-cost way to assess joint health. If KAE can reflect underlying biomechanics, they could help identify at-risk individuals earlier and more easily.”

What are you working on next related to this research?

“We would like to explore whether KAE can predict other pathological gait or movement patterns beyond varus thrust.”

What excites you most about your work?

“I’m excited by the potential of KAE as an early, non-invasive point of care option for knee OA. If we can catch joint issues before symptoms or damage occur, it could open a door for new, preventative therapies.”

What are you most looking forward to at ACR Convergence 2025 in Chicago?

“As an internal medicine resident, new to rheumatology, everything in the field is exciting and new. I’m eager to attend ACR Convergence 2025 to build a strong foundation, learn directly from experts, explore emerging research, and continue discovering where my interests in rheumatology lie.”