3D Model of King Richard III’s Spine Reveals Spiral Nature of his Scoliosis

Shakespeare may have pigeonholed Richard III, last Plantagenet King of England, as a hunchback, but now everybody can discover for themselves the real shape of one of history’s most illustrious spinal columns. A polymer reconstruction was photographed from 19 different points, and the pictures were then put together digitally to create the interactive three-dimensional (3D) model.

University of Leicester (UK) scientists and multimedia specialists have created a 3D model of the British King Richard III’s spine, based on findings in a new academic paper. The article, published in the Lancet on May 30, 2014, offers a complete image of the king's scoliosis for the first time. Web users worldwide can use their mouse to rotate 360° around the representation of the late king’s spine, revealing that the king suffered from scoliosis, or a sideways curvature of the spine.

Significantly, the image demonstrates how the king’s spine had a curve to the right, but also a degree of twisting, resulting in a “spiral” shape. The visualization is based on research performed researchers led by University of Leicester osteoarchaelogist Dr. Jo Appleby, of the University’s School of Archaeology and Ancient History.

During analysis, the skeleton was examined macroscopically for evidence of spinal deformity and any changes to the tissue caused by the disorder. The spine was then scanned using computed tomography (CT) imaging, with 3D reconstructions of each bone made from the digital model. The team used a 3D printer to create polymer replicas of each vertebra, which were put together to recreate the shape of Richard's spine during his life.

Among the major findings about the scoliosis of Richard III, diagnosis, and clinical significance of the study include: (1) Richard III had a severe scoliosis, with a particularly pronounced right-sided curve; (2) Richard’s scoliosis had a “spiral” nature; his right shoulder would have been higher than his left, and his torso would have been relatively short compared to his arms and legs; (3) however, he had a “well-balanced curve” in that his head and neck were straight and not tilted to one side. Consequently, the disorder would not have been directly visible to those he met, especially if he wore armor or well-designed clothes; (4) the Cobb angle—a measurement used to examine the degree of spinal deformity in scoliosis patients—was 65-85°. This would be considered a large curvature these days, though many with the condition today undergo surgery to stabilize it; his scoliosis would have started to develop during the last few years of growth; (5) lastly, the researchers have already established that King Richard would have been about 5 foot 8 inches tall without his scoliosis—about average for a man during medieval times. However, his condition meant he would have appeared several inches shorter than this.

The polymer reconstruction was photographed from 19 different points, and the images were then stitched together digitally to generate the interactive 3D model, which can be accessed on any web browser and embedded into websites.

Dr. Appleby said, “The major finding we have made is being able to reconstruct the three-dimensional nature of the scoliosis and understand what it would have looked like. Obviously, the skeleton was flattened out when it was in the ground. We had a good idea of the sideways aspect of the curve, but we didn’t know the precise nature of the spiral aspect of the condition. The arthritis in the spine meant it could only be reconstructed in a specific way, meaning that we can get a very accurate idea of the shape of the curve. It’s really good to be able to produce this 3D reconstruction rather than a 2D picture, as you get a good sense of how the spine would have actually appeared.”

“Although the scoliosis looks dramatic, it probably did not cause a major physical deformity. This is because he had a well-balanced curve. The condition would have meant that his trunk was short in comparison to the length of his limbs, and his right shoulder would have been slightly higher than the left, but this could have been disguised by custom-made armor and by having a good tailor. A curve of 65–85° would not have prevented Richard from being an active individual, and there is no evidence that Richard had a limp as his curve was well balanced and his leg bones were normal and symmetric,” Dr. Appleby added.

Dr. Phil Stone, chairman, Richard III Society, said, “Examination of Richard III’s remains shows that he had a scoliosis, thus confirming that the Shakespearean description of a ‘bunch-backed toad’ is a complete fabrication—yet more proof that, while the plays are splendid dramas, they are also most certainly fiction not fact. History tells us that Richard III was a great warrior. Clearly, he was little inconvenienced by his spinal problem and accounts of his appearance, written when he was alive, tell that he was “of person and bodily shape comely enough” and that he “was the most handsome man in the room after his brother, Edward IV.”

Related Links:
University of Leicester