occurrence of degenerative joint disease in the radius: analysis

CHAPTER 2
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The Poole-Rose skeletal material was sorted, washed, and
catalogued by professors and students at Louisiana State
University, and assigned catalog numbers based on excavation
unit, level, and bone number. The radii which included whole
bones, proximal ends, distal ends, and shafts were sorted
according to left, right, and undetermined sides. Attempts were
made to match fracture lines and reconstruct bones. Adult bones
were analyzed in this study. Age and sex were not determined.
Adult bone measurements were taken on complete bones using
an osteometric board. Maximum length was measured from the
radial head to the tip of the styloid process in millimeters
(Bass, 1995). Using a small, digital sliding caliper, radial
head diameter was also measured in millimeters. Comparisons were
made with lengths of radii from other Late Woodland ossuaries.
The articular joint surfaces of the radius were analyzed
for DJD. The head of the radius, which articulates with the
humerus; the distal facet, which articulates with the scaphoid
and semi-lunar bones of the hand; and the ulnar notch, which
articulates with the ulna, were each evaluated separately for
three types of bone lesions suggesting degenerative changes.
The radii were seriated according to degree of degeneration for
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