Spondylosis deformans - another question for Duncan

Louisa Gidney · Post by **Louisa Gidney** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 2:53 pm

I've just had my first archaeological example of this from C5th AD Anglian site in Co. Durham. Are you aware of any more recent veterinary publications about this condition than Bane & Hansen 1962 in Cornell Vet 52, 362-84. Thanks.
For the interested viewer, this is a degenerative, arthritic type condition affecting the caudal (tail) epiphysis (articular surface) of a lumbar (lower back) vertebra. The bone I have is polished with pitting, showing that the disc of soft tissue between the vertebra had disintegrated and bone was rubbing against bone. It's known to occur in bulls rather than cows & is a cause for culling as the poor beast is unable to mount a cow because of the pain. I'm not currently aware of any other archaeological examples, so I'd like recent publication with a good piccie of a modern specimen to confirm the id.

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 5:57 pm

Krook, Lutwak, and McEntee, 1969, American Journal Clinical Nutrition, 22,2,115 may be of some relevance - I think they suggest a dietary cause rather than inherited.

Duncan

Louisa Gidney · Post by **Louisa Gidney** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 5:01 pm

Thanks!