Evidence for Juvenile Disc Herniation in a Homo Erectus Boy Skeleton

Abstract

This indirect evidence of possible juvenile disc herniation in a Homo erectus boy skeleton represents the earliest known case of this typical human ailment that is intricately linked to upright bipedalism. The extensive bony remodeling of the articular processes of L4 and L5 suggests that the disc herniation occurred several months before his death. Disabling backache and recurrent sciatica might have, at least, temporarily restricted his daily activities, which indicates advanced social care and nursing in early Homo. We hypothesize that the early Homo intervertebral discs were more vulnerable to injury compared with modern humans because of a relatively small vertebral cross-sectional area.