Hilfe für einen Fußlahmen – zum Fund einer orthopädischen Fußschiene des frühen Mittelalters aus Markt Einersheim (Lkr. Kitzingen)

Abstract

Help for a lame – on the find of an early medieval orthopaedic foot brace from Markt Einersheim (Lkr. Kitzingen)

In the excavation of a grave dating in the Younger Merovingian period located at the graveyard nearby Markt Einersheim (Unterfranken) a band-shaped iron object was found in the foot region of the buried skeleton. Because of its construction and position in the grave we took this object to be the remainder of an orthopaedic tool, (i. e.) a walking aid. Although the skeleton was not preserved well enough to allow direct conclusions on possible injuries or diseases that would explain the need for the use of such an orthopaedic aid, we were able to discuss possible underlying pathology based on the anatomical functionality. The heavy-duty design of the object suggests it served a long-term purpose in a state of chronic disease or permanent disability. As the brace is of a rather massive composition, we expect this device to have served as an aid to support the ankle or hind foot subsequently to an inflammatory process, posttraumatic osteoarthritis or chronic ankle joint instability, paralysis from nerve or muscle injury, respectively.