occurrence of degenerative joint disease in the radius: analysis

This suggests degeneration of the joint capsule between the
carpal bones and the radius (Kelly, 2001).
In this study, the distal aspect of the radius was more
affected in terms of frequencies for lipping, pitting, and
eburnation. If a stress hypothesis is emphasized over systemic
factors such as aging and metabolism, then we might be able to
assume that this population of people was engaging in a wide
range of activities. A high presence of DJD localized in one
specific area may indicate a more habitual activity, where
trauma or injury may be responsible for the onset of DJD.
Other Studies
Anderson (1964) in his analysis of the Fairty ossuary,
found almost twice the incidence of DJD in the ulna as in the
radius. He also found frequencies for DJD to be about the same
for proximal and distal ends. Although the Fairty study
parallels the Poole-Rose study in description and classification
of DJD, the frequency of involvement overall and in regards to
the separate joint surfaces differs slightly. One reason for
this could be the classification system of DJD, which as
discussed earlier can affect the decision to label a specimen as
having DJD. In the Poole-Rose study, all premortem pitting was
recorded as such, and a large percentage of specimens showed
some frequency of pitting alone. To an extent, bone can show
some pitting, even if that particular individual was healthy.
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