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Original scientific paper

Osteobiography of a 19 th Century Elderly Woman with Pertrochanteric Fracture and Osteoporosis: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Valentina Mariotti ; Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory of Bioarchaeology and Forensic Osteology, Bologna, Italy
Marco Milella ; Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory of Bioarchaeology and Forensic Osteology, Bologna, Italy
Ester Orsini ; Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Department of Human Anatomical Sciences and Fisiopathology of the Locomotory Apparatus, Bologna, Italy
Alessandra Trirè ; Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Department of Human Anatomical Sciences and Fisiopathology of the Locomotory Apparatus, Bologna, Italy
Alessandro Ruggeri ; Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Department of Human Anatomical Sciences and Fisiopathology of the Locomotory Apparatus, Bologna, Italy
Gino Fornaciari ; University of Pisa, Department of Translational Research on New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Division of Palaeopathology, History of Medicine and Bioethics, Pisa, Italy
Simona Minozzi ; University of Pisa, Department of Translational Research on New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Division of Palaeopathology, History of Medicine and Bioethics, Pisa, Italy
Davide Caramella ; University of Pisa, Department of Translational Research on New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Division of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Pisa, Italy
Ugo Albisinni ; Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Special Orthopedic-Trauma Pathology Department, Division of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Bologna, Italy
Saverio Gnudi ; Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Department of Medicine, Bologna, Italy
Stefano Durante ; Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Department of Medicine, Bologna, Italy
Antonio Todero ; Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory of Bioarchaeology and Forensic Osteology, Bologna, Italy
Elisa Boanini ; Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Department of Chemistry »G. Ciamician«, Bologna, Italy
Katia Rubini ; Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Department of Chemistry »G. Ciamician«, Bologna, Italy
Adriana Bigi ; Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Department of Chemistry »G. Ciamician«, Bologna, Italy
Maria Giovanna Belcastro ; Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory of Bioarchaeology and Forensic Osteology, Bologna, Italy


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Abstract

In this paper the osteobiography of an elderly woman recovered from a cemetery tomb where she was buried in 1850, affected by hip fracture and osteoporosis, is described. The overall anthropological characteristics of the individual have been investigated. Macroscopic, radiographic, tomographic, microscopic, and chemical and structural examinations have been performed to give a detailed account of the condition of the skeleton. A non-union pertrochanteric fracture not surgically treated and probably due to senile osteoporosis was diagnosed. The consequences of the fracture to the bones show that this individual likely survived several years following the injury. The osseous features we describe (remodelled bone at the fracture site, asymmetry of entheseal changes likely related to the particular walking pattern of the individ- ual) may be useful in personal identification of skeletons of legal interest. Regarding the recognition of osteoporosis in unearthed skeletons, our study underlines that the cortical thickness, microscopic features, degree of crystallinity and Ca/P ratio represent more useful elements than the mean bone density, mineral/matrix ratio and mineral maturity, which are more sensitive to diagenetic changes that affect the mineral phase post-mortem.

Keywords

palaeopathology; non-union fracture; pertrochanteric fracture; osteoporosis; bone morphology; cristallinity

Hrčak ID:

118310

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/118310

Publication date:

30.9.2013.

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