Displasia congénita de cadera en el Noroeste argentino (sitio Tres Cruces, Salta, Argentina). Congenital hip dysplasia in Northwest argentina (site Tres Cruces, Salta, Argentina).

PLISCHUK, M.; DE FEO M. E.

Buenos Aires

Congreso; VI Paleopathology Association meeting in South American; 2015

Asociación de Paleopatología en Sudamérica .

Congenital hip dysplasia is a developmental defect that avoids normal jointbetween the acetabulum and the femoral head. This is an unusual condition, with a prevalence of 1-2 per thousand, and with few published cases in South American paleopathology. In this presentation a case of an individual with such condition from the archaeological site of Tres Cruces (Quebrada del Toro, Salta,Argentina) is reported. Several radiocarbon dates and associated materials allow its temporary location on the Upper Formative Period (400-900 AD). In concordance with the biological characterization the remains belong to a female adult, with tabular oblique cranial deformation. Through the detection of abnormalities in the morphology of both femora and coxae, a differential diagnosis was carried out, considering the features proposed by Mitchell and Redfern (2008). The formation of a well-defi ned false acetabulum, without connection with the true one, was observed on the left hip joint. The true acetabulum was shallow, triangular, with irregular base. This coxal bone showed a wider greater sciatic notch angle. The right one exhibited a false acetabulum connected with the true one. Both femora presented a small head, fl at mushroom-shaped, and shortening of the neck. These features were more pronounced in the right elements. Based on the afore mentioned, presumptive diagnosis of bilateral congenital hip dysplasia was established, with complete dislocation on the left side and right subluxation. This condition would have generated a dysfunction in his normal locomotion. This fact, and the age of this individual would indicate that he received care and attention from the rest of the community. Congenital hip dysplasia has been proposed as a potential indicator of endogamic behaviors, even though this isolated case should be supported in the future with other evidence from the archaeological record.