2009 Traumatic Heterotopic Ossification eMedicine

Description: The historical terms for heterotopic ossification have been superseded, but ectopic ossification and myositis ossificans are used interchangeably with the term heterotopic ossification. The condition may affect the bones or the joints. Three types of heterotopic ossification have been described: myositis ossificans progressiva (a rare pediatric metabolic disease whereby skeletal muscle ossifies), neurogenic heterotopic ossification (this occurs as a result of burns or neurologic injury), and traumatic heterotopic ossification (this follows injury to tissue surrounding the bones and joints). Traumatic heterotopic ossification is the focus of this article.