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Updated: May 18, 2026

Direct Mouse Trauma/Burn Model of Heterotopic Ossification
Published on: August 6, 2015
Heterotopic mineralization (ossification or calcification) in tendinopathy or following surgical tendon trauma
Etienne J O O'Brien1, Cyril B Frank, Nigel G Shrive
1The McCaig Institute for Bone & Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Abstract:
Heterotopic tendon mineralization (ossification or calcification), which may be a feature of tendinopathy or which may develop following surgical trauma (repair or graft harvest), has not received much attention. The purpose of this article is to review the prevalence, mechanisms and consequences of heterotopic tendon mineralization and to identify the gaps in our current understanding. We focus on endochondral heterotopic ossification and draw on knowledge of the mechanisms of this process in other tissues and conditions. Finally, we introduce a novel murine Achilles tendon needle injury model, which will enable us to further study the mechanisms and biomechanical consequences of tendon mineralization.
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