Hip Dislocation and Dystocia in Early Medieval Times

Abstract

Examining the anomalies all together, a case of anterior hip dislocation related to a McRoberts-like maneuver performed during labor is a plausible explanation of the findings.

Exploring the risks accompanying child-bearing in aboriginal society on Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, 13th–15th cal. CE): death of a pregnant woman during her third trimester

“…(Seeds & Cefalo 1982;Neilson et al 2003). Determining the type of dystocia in an archaeological context is extremely difficult because many of these complications do not leave evidence in skeletal remains (Cruz & Codinha 2010;Malgosa et al 2016). When dystocia occurs, the mother soon suffers hyperthermia due to infection of the uterine cavity contents.…”

“…The most visible evidence of reproductive mortality is provided by double burials where a woman appears with a foetus/perinatal child in her abdominal region. However, this archaeological evidence is scarce compared to the number of expected deaths due to such problems (i.e., Hawkes & Wells 1975;Wells 1978;Owsley & Bradtmiller 1983;Pounder et al 1983;Persson & Persson 1984;Högberg et al 1987;Agustí & Codina 1992;Campillo et al 1998;Malgosa et al 2004;White & Folkens 2005;de Miguel-Ibáñez 2008;Flores & Sánchez 2007;Rascón-Perez et al 2007;Cruz & Codinha 2010;Willis & Oxenham 2013;Lieverse et al 2015;Malgosa et al 2016;Piga et al 2016). This scarcity may be due to other factors such as specific funerary practices associated with this population (Rascón-Perez et al 2007;Cruz & Codinha 2010).…”