Arthropathies in palaeopathology: The basis of classification according to most probable cause

Abstract

A scheme is presented for the classification of joint changes seen in skeletal material according to their most probable cause. One of the critical factors in making this classification is the description of the pattern of pathological changes noted in the skeleton. It is important to consider the skeleton in its entirety, and a valid classification cannot be made from the examination of single sets of joints or single elements of the skeleton. The description of the pathology of a skeleton should include an account of the joints which are present and examined, those which are normal, as well as those which are abnormal. The classification of lesions in palaeopathological material must be securely grounded in modern clinical practice if useful comparisons are to be made between series and disease in modern populations. If this is not the case, there is a serious danger of over-interpretation and over-simplification.