What is heterotopic ossification prophylaxis?
Heterotopic ossification is the formation of mature, lamellar bone in soft tissues where bone does not normally exist. It is commonly seen following trauma or surgical intervention of periarticular soft tissue and is commonly associated with injury to the hip.
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.
How do I get rid of HO?
Usually, treatment will include gentle range of motion of the joints and some physical therapy. Your doctor may also prescribe medications to slow down or stop the abnormal growth of bone. When HO severely affects your movement or causes excruciating pain, surgery may be needed.
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.
How do you slow down ossification?
How do you stop ossification?
Can physical therapy help heterotopic ossification?
Physical therapy has been shown to benefit patients suffering from heterotopic ossification. Pre-operative PT can be used to help preserve the structures around the lesion. ROM exercises (PROM, AAROM, AROM) and strengthening will help prevent muscle atrophy and preserve joint motion.
Which therapeutic modalities are used in heterotopic ossification prophylaxis?
Though radiation therapy and NSAIDs remain the most widely used therapeutic modalities in the setting of post-surgical heterotopic ossification prophylaxis, it is evident that they bring with them many hazards and shortcomings.
What is heterotopic ossification?
Heterotopic ossification (HO) is defined as the process by which trabecular bone forms outside of the skeletal structure, occupying space in soft tissue where it does not normally exist.
What are the possible complications of heterotopic ossification prophylaxis with indomethacin?
Heterotopic ossification prophylaxis with indomethacin increases the risk of long-bone nonunion. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2003;85:700–705.
Does radiation prophylaxis cause oligospermia?
Finally, radiation dose to the testis is also a concern with the use of radiation prophylaxis. Animal studies have shown that reversible oligospermia can be induced with doses as low as 20 to 70 cGy, and doses of 120 cGy have been shown to cause permanent azoospermia[4].