Ossafreelance Case Study - Osteology Report, Worcester Cathedral

The remains of Skeleton 1188 presented several examples of pathological changes to his skeleton. These included a fracture of the scaphoid bone in his left wrist, slight scoliosis (lateral curvature) in his lower spine and a chronic infection in his left knee, or septic arthritis.

The fracture of the scaphoid, which occured across its waist, resulted in necrosis of its distal half and secondary bony remodelling (osteoarthritis) of the affected joints. This indicates that the joint was still being used after the fracture occured.

3 Skeleton 1188: Pathological Changes
	The remains of Skeleton 1188 presented several examples of pathological changes to his skeleton. These included a fracture of the scaphoid bone in his left wrist, slight scoliosis (lateral curvature) in his lower spine and a chronic infection in his left knee, or septic arthritis. The fracture of the scaphoid, which occured across its waist, resulted in necrosis of its distal half and secondary bony remodelling (osteoarthritis) of the affected joints. This indicates that the joint was still being used after the fracture occured.
	Scoliosis present in the lower spine would have resulted in lateral curvature of this individual's back. Unfortunately, the preservation of the vertebrae was poor and did not allow a full reconstruction. However, it is clear, as can be seen in the photograph, that some of the vertebrae are characteristically wedge shaped beyond the range of normal variation. Osteophytes, or bony outgrowths, present around the edges of the vertebral bodies also suggest that the lumbar spine may have been subject to abnormal mechanical stresses.