Heterotopic ossification in the middle finger: a case report

Synostosis of the interphalangeal joint: an uncommon cause of post-fracture digital stiffness

Loss of motion and stiffness after fracture of the digits are most commonly a result of soft tissue contracture and adhesions. However, stiffness can also have a bony etiology. We present a case of synostosis of the thumb interphalangeal joint after non-operative treatment of a closed fracture.

A case of extensive symptomatic lower limb heterotopic ossification in a boy

Heterotopic ossification refers to the abnormal growth of bone in the soft tissue. This report highlighted the case of heterotopic ossification in early childhood. A 3-year-old boy was presented with poor lower limb mobility and rigid left leg. At the age of 10 days, he developed a small lump as large as a quail egg in his left groin. Within 3 months, the lump grew bigger and spread to his leg and feet. His parents claimed no trauma history. It was confirmed by computed tomography scan which revealed multiple ossifications of the soft tissue infiltrating the lower limb muscles and infiltrating the skin, the pathological features showed hard mature trabeculated bone, mature fatty tissue, and loose connective tissue. The patient was treated with a series of soft tissue resections and was still under the care of surgeon with good prognosis.

Heterotopic Ossification of the Finger Following Closed Blunt Trauma

A right hand dominant young ethnic Indian male developed heterotopic ossification (HO) of his right index finger after a contusion due to a fall. There were no open wounds clinically and no fractures noted on plain radiographs. Stiffness of the proximal interphalangeal joint and generalised swelling of the digit was present about three weeks after the injury. Radiographic investigations of the digit demonstrated soft tissue ossification volar to the proximal and middle phalanges. Non-operative management was instituted. This case report demonstrates that heterotopic ossification of digits can occur from closed, blunt trauma in the absence of bony injuries. Current literature on management of digital heterotopic ossification is minimal due to low incidence.