What is heterotopic bone formation?
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What is heterotopic bone formation?
Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a diverse pathologic process, defined as the formation of extraskeletal bone in muscle and soft tissues. HO can be conceptualized as a tissue repair process gone awry and is a common complication of trauma and surgery.
What is heterotopic ossification radiology?
Heterotopic ossification refers to the presence of bone in soft tissue where bone normally does not exist (extraskeletal bone). Lesions range from small clinically insignificant foci of ossification to large deposits of bone that cause pain and restriction of function.
How is heterotopic bone formation treated?
How is heterotopic ossification treated?
- Medications such as corticosteroids to treat HO flare-ups in people with genetic heterotopic ossification.
- Physical therapy to increase range of motion and decrease pain.
- Surgery to remove heterotopic ossification that causes severe pain or restrictions in your daily function.
What causes heterotopic bone growth?
HO occurs after other injuries, too. HO has been known to occur in cases of traumatic brain injury, stroke, poliomyelitis, myelodysplasia, carbon monoxide poisoning, spinal cord tumors, syringomyelia, tetanus, multiple sclerosis, post total hip replacements, post joint arthroplasty, and after severe burns.
Can heterotopic ossification be reversed?
For now, the only way to treat heterotopic ossification is to wait for it to stop growing and cut it out which never completely restores joint function. This new research suggests that there may be a way to treat it at the cellular level.
Is heterotopic ossification a disability?
Heterotopic ossification is a condition affecting an appreciable minority of critical care patients; it can have long-lasting effects on recovery and return to functional status. Ectopic bone forms in soft tissues near the large joints, causing pain, swelling, limitation of movement and ultimate disability.
How long does it take for heterotopic ossification to mature?
HO is often thought to take approximately 12 months to mature; however, surgical treatment of posttraumatic HO at the elbow has been performed effectively at 3 and 6 months post trauma.
Can you live with heterotopic ossification?
But there is good news if you develop heterotopic ossification after an injury or surgery. Most people with nongenetic HO fully recover with treatment.
