Lateral thrust (LT) refers to an abnormal knee joint motion in the early stance phase where the knee joint center moves laterally. Also known as varus thrust, LR is defined as the dynamic worsening or abrupt onset of varus (bow-leg) alignment as the limb accepts weight (stance phase), with a return to less varus and more neutral alignment during lift-off and the non-weight-bearing (swing) phase of gait, varus thrust is a potent mechanical risk factor for medial knee osteoarthritis progression. [from
HPO]