Talocalcaneal coalition in the female adult skeleton from the archaeological site of Perlek-Dioksid, Serbia (10th - 12th centuries AD)

Abstract

In this case report, we will present a case of rare pathological condition, a talocalcaneal coalition, which was recorded in a female adult individual from the archaeological site of Perlek-Dioksid, dated in the period between 10th and 12th centuries AD. During the bioanthropological and paleopathological analyses it was noted the presence of a bilateral bony fusion of the calcaneus and talus of a female adult individual, suggesting an occurrence of talocalcaneal coalition. This was further confirmed by an X-ray examination. Talocalcaneal coalition (TC) occurs when adjacent tarsal bones, the calcaneus and talus, are partially or completely fused. A talocalcaneal coalition becomes symptomatic when, at the age of 12 to 15 years, a pre-existing coalition becomes ossified. In this case, TC was accompanied by degenerative changes of the spine and bilateral femoral neck anteversion. This condition did not require any form of health-related care for this person, although it probably caused occasional pain of varying intensity. This pathological condition is rarely described in bioarchaeological literature and it is, therefore, important to report every recorded case in order to improve our corpus of knowledge regarding such conditions.