#cairo toe

The Cairo Toe: World's Oldest Prosthesis?

A 3,000 year old big toe made out of wood and leather has gotten a second look from researchers thanks to modern scientific techniques. The Cairo Toe was first discovered almost 20 years ago in a rock-cut tomb near Luxor, Egypt, attached to the mummified foot of a priest's daughter. The woman, who was likely 50 to 60 years old when she died, had had her right big toe amputated far enough in her past that the injury had fully healed. Recent research from the University of Basel, the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, and the University of Zurich reexamined the toe using microscopy, X-ray scans, and computer tomography to probe the toe's history and construction.

The researchers found that the toe, which consists of a leather base and an articulated wooden toe extension, had been refitted several times in order to precisely match the shape of the woman's foot. The craftsmanship and attention to detail suggests that the maker was very knowledgeable about human physiognomy, and that the wearer placed a high value on a natural look and comfort when wearing the device.

The toe's status as the earliest practical prosthetic depends on the question of aesthetics versus function. To be considered a true prosthetic, a replacement must be able to withstand bodily forces and provide actual assistance in place of a limb or body part. The big toe carries some 40% of bodyweight when walking and is responsible for forward propulsion. The mobility and careful construction of the Cairo Toe suggests that it may have helped the wearer's balance when walking. Previous research from Manchester University, in which amputee volunteers tested a replica of the toe, showed that the volunteers were able to walk well and without elevation pressure on the foot when wearing the toe.

The Cairo Toe pushes back the medical history of prosthetics by centuries - the next oldest is a Roman leg from 300 BC. Though the story of the priest's daughter and how she lost her toe may be lost, the device that may have helped her get back on her feet is still speaking to us today about the lives and adaptations of those with disabilities in the past. -CEL

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