Pathological phalanges in a camarasaurid sauropod dinosaur and implications on behaviour
Creator
Tschopp E; Wings O; Frauenfelder T; Rothschild B M
Publisher
Acta Palaeontologica Polonica
Date
2016
2016
Description
Several types of pathological bony overgrowth are known from various dinosaur taxa but, except for stress fractures, are rarely reported from appendicular elements. Herein we describe pathological manual and pedal phalanges of a camarasaurid sauropod (SMA 0002), which show features rarely recognised in non-avian dinosaurs. They include lateral osteophytes and smoothing of phalangeal articular surfaces, a deep pit, proximal enthesophytes in pedal unguals, distal overgrowth associated with a fracture, and a knob-like overgrowth lateral to the distal condyles of a pedal phalanx. Their causes were assessed by means of visual examination, CT scans, and bone histology, where possible. The lateral osteophytes are interpreted as symptoms of osteoarthritis. The ossified tendon insertions in the unguals are most probably the result of prolonged, heavy use of the pedal claws, possibly for scratch-digging. The distal overgrowth is interpreted to have developed due to changed stress regimes, and to be the cause for the fracture. The deep pit represents most likely a case of osteochondrosis, whereas the knob-like overgrowth likely represents a post-traumatic phenomenon not previously reported in dinosaurs. The study confirms that a rigorous assessment of pathologies can yield information about behaviour in long-extinct animals.
Weiner Dennis S; Morscher Melanie; Dicinti Martin S
Publisher
Journal of Family Practice
Date
2007
2007-05
Description
The article presents a guide for primary care physicians on the diagnosis and treatment of calcaneal apophysitis. It has been agreed that the true origin of the heel pain of calcaneal apophysitis is a stress microfracture due to chronic repetitive microtrauma. In nearly all cases, this condition is an overuse syndrome that resolves without surgery. The use of a simple in-shoe wedge-shaped orthotic can help patients experience pain relief and resume full activities. Other therapeutic approaches include physiotherapy, forced ankle dorsiflexion stretching, gastrocsoleus stretching and anti-inflammatories. INSET: Should Johnny quit the track team?.