Heterotopic ossification after total knee arthroplasty. 1997

J Pham, and R Kumar
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a rare complication following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). In the case report presented, a 52-year-old man who had previously undergone TKA for osteoarthritis noticed painful limitation of range of motion (ROM) in spite of active participation in physical therapy and the use of a continuous passive motion machine. A plain radiograph 1 month after surgery revealed HO anterior to the distal femoral shaft in the quadriceps expansion. Ambulation for this patient was limited to short distances because of severe pain and limitation in ROM. The patient underwent manipulation under general anesthesia 2 months after the TKA. Range of motion in flexion improved from 50 degrees to 110 degrees, and the patient became ambulatory without assistive devices. However, the flexion range deteriorated to 50 degrees over a period of 4 months, and ambulation again became significantly limited. The patient underwent resection of HO 6 months after manipulation and regained his ROM to 110 degrees in flexion. He was prescribed indomethacin after surgery for 2 months to prevent recurrence of HO. Follow-up radiographs 3 months after surgery revealed minimal recurrence of HO. The patient's ROM did not deteriorate, and he remained ambulatory. Heterotopic ossification should be suspected in post-TKA patients if ROM does not improve. Physical therapy including ROM exercises remains an essential component in the treatment of HO. Manipulation under general anesthesia or surgical resection of HO may be inevitable in certain patients whose ambulation is significantly limited.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007719 Knee Joint A synovial hinge connection formed between the bones of the FEMUR; TIBIA; and PATELLA. Superior Tibiofibular Joint,Joint, Knee,Joint, Superior Tibiofibular,Knee Joints,Superior Tibiofibular Joints,Tibiofibular Joint, Superior
D007720 Knee Prosthesis Replacement for a knee joint. Knee Prostheses,Prostheses, Knee,Prosthesis, Knee
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009999 Ossification, Heterotopic The development of bony substance in normally soft structures. Ossification, Pathologic,Ectopic Ossification,Heterotopic Ossification,Ossification, Ectopic,Ossification, Pathological,Pathologic Ossification,Pathological Ossification
D010003 Osteoarthritis A progressive, degenerative joint disease, the most common form of arthritis, especially in older persons. The disease is thought to result not from the aging process but from biochemical changes and biomechanical stresses affecting articular cartilage. In the foreign literature it is often called osteoarthrosis deformans. Arthritis, Degenerative,Osteoarthrosis,Osteoarthrosis Deformans,Arthroses,Arthrosis,Arthritides, Degenerative,Degenerative Arthritides,Degenerative Arthritis,Osteoarthritides,Osteoarthroses
D011859 Radiography Examination of any part of the body for diagnostic purposes by means of X-RAYS or GAMMA RAYS, recording the image on a sensitized surface (such as photographic film). Radiology, Diagnostic X-Ray,Roentgenography,X-Ray, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X-Ray,Diagnostic X-Ray Radiology,X-Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X Ray,Diagnostic X Ray Radiology,Diagnostic X-Rays,Radiology, Diagnostic X Ray,X Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,X Ray, Diagnostic,X-Rays, Diagnostic
D012008 Recurrence The return of a sign, symptom, or disease after a remission. Recrudescence,Relapse,Recrudescences,Recurrences,Relapses
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D016059 Range of Motion, Articular The distance and direction to which a bone joint can be extended. Range of motion is a function of the condition of the joints, muscles, and connective tissues involved. Joint flexibility can be improved through appropriate MUSCLE STRETCHING EXERCISES. Passive Range of Motion,Joint Flexibility,Joint Range of Motion,Range of Motion,Flexibility, Joint

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