Morphological and Biomechanical Analysis of a Skeleton from Roman Imperial Necropolis of Casalecchio di Reno (Bologna, Italy, II-III c. A. D.). A Possible Case of Crutch Use

This study examines an aged male skeleton (T.130) from the Roman Imperial necropolis of Casalecchio di Reno (II-III c. A.D.) to determine if severe pathological changes in the hip joint were compensated for by the use of crutches. The researchers performed a detailed morphological and biomechanical analysis of the postcranial skeleton, focusing on articular degeneration, enthesopathies (bone changes at muscle attachment sites), and signs of mechanical stress. By comparing these findings with known biomechanical consequences of crutch-aided locomotion and existing literature on similar historical cases, the authors sought to reconstruct the individual's functional limitations and compensatory behaviors.

The skeleton displays nearly complete ankylosis of the right hip joint, which would have severely restricted the individual's ability to walk. The analysis revealed significant articular degeneration and pronounced muscular development in the upper limbs and shoulder girdle, particularly in the right elbow, wrists, and scapulae. Specific evidence, such as eburnation (polishing of bone surfaces) and ossification at muscle insertion sites (e.g., the triceps and deltoid), indicates that the upper limbs were subjected to chronic, high-intensity mechanical stress. These patterns are consistent with the weight-bearing demands of using crutches to support the body during locomotion. The researchers conclude that the individual likely used two crutches, though the exact design remains uncertain.

This research provides a rare, evidence-based look at how individuals with severe physical disabilities were accommodated in Roman society. By linking skeletal markers of activity to specific functional compensations, the study offers a valuable methodology for bioarchaeologists and forensic anthropologists to identify mobility aids in the archaeological record, where such artifacts are rarely preserved. It highlights the potential for skeletal remains to reveal not just the pathologies of past populations, but also the adaptive strategies individuals employed to maintain mobility and quality of life.