The hidden diseases : osteoporosis and osteoarthritis from the block Banken 1 in Visby

This Bachelor paper deals with skeletal diseases like osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. 24 medieval individuals from the block Banken 1 in Visby, Gotland were chosen for an osteological analysis. Osteoporosis affects the bone with low bone mineral density and can lead to possible fractures and Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease. A DEXA reading was done at Dr. Roland Alvarssons Doctorial practice in Visby and the results from the DEXA reading showed that none of the individuals suffered from osteoporosis, but one suffered from osteopenia. Some individuals were x-rayed at Visby hospital and the x-rays were interpreted by Dr. Staffan Jennerholm. The x-ray showed that two individuals suffered from osteoarthritis. You can get a glint into the past and daily life of medieval people with a little help of modern technology like x-ray and DEXA reading