One Very Rough Orthopedic Opinion on Richard's Scoliosis

This morning I had a visit with my orthopedic surgeon who is treating my bad knee (my new motto: If you haven't bowled in 50 years, don't.) In any event he had read a bit about the discovery of Richard's bones, so I took the opportunity to whip out my iPad to show him the image of Richard's skeletal remains. I asked him the following question:

Assuming a male with severe scoliosis beginning in adolescence, and assuming Richard's training as a knight beginning around age 9 and his very active lifestyle (war, hunting, riding, weapon's practice, etc.) is it remotely possible that his apparently severe scoliosis might not have been obvious when he was fully clothed? The answer was yes, it might not have been at all visible, except one shoulder could have been slightly elevated but not necessarily. He agreed that it was at least within the realm of possibility that the scoliosis might have been noticeable only when Richard was naked.

I understand that this is just an off the cuff appraisal but it is encouraging.

I surely hope that the plans for further examination of Richard's remains includes a forensic orthopedic specialist.