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Updated: Aug 4, 2026
07:01
Direct Mouse Trauma/Burn Model of Heterotopic Ossification
Published on: August 6, 2015
Pharmacological interventions for treating acute heterotopic ossification
1Department of Aged Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, Royal North Shore Hospital, Building 12, Pacific Highway, St Leonards, Sydney, 2065, New South Wales, Australia. mharan@med.usyd.edu.au
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|October 21, 2004
Summary
Current evidence is insufficient to recommend disodium etidronate for treating heterotopic ossification (HO). More research is needed to assess pharmacological treatments for acute HO with adequate follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Pharmacology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Heterotopic ossification (HO) involves bone formation in soft tissues, often complicating injuries and surgeries.
- HO can lead to significant joint dysfunction and disability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of medications in treating acute heterotopic ossification.
- Assessed outcomes included radiological changes, symptom improvement, and functional impairment.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials.
- Searched multiple databases for studies on pharmacological treatments for acute HO.
- Included trials confirmed HO by imaging and used radiography to grade severity.
Main Results:
- Two trials involving disodium etidronate versus placebo were analyzed.
- One study suggested disodium etidronate may prevent HO progression, but results were inconsistent.
- Long-term outcomes and side effects were not available, precluding data pooling.
Conclusions:
- Insufficient evidence exists to recommend disodium etidronate for acute HO treatment.
- Concerns remain regarding the long-term efficacy and potential for delayed mineralization.
- Further high-quality studies with extended follow-up are necessary.
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