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Severe Heterotopic Ossification following Total Knee Replacement
Alexander L Dodds1, Gregory C R Keene1
1Sportsmed SA, 32 Payneham Road, Stepney, Adelaide, SA 5069, Australia.
Case Reports in Orthopedics
|November 29, 2014
Summary
Severe heterotopic ossification (HO) after total knee replacement is rare. Nonoperative treatment, including physiotherapy and anti-inflammatories, successfully resolved stiffness and restored range of motion in a 66-year-old patient.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Medical Case Study
Background:
- Severe heterotopic ossification (HO) is a rare complication following total knee replacement (TKR).
- Early TKR may achieve excellent range of motion, but complications can arise later.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of severe HO after bilateral TKR.
- To illustrate the efficacy of nonoperative management for HO-induced stiffness post-TKR.
Main Methods:
- A 66-year-old female patient underwent bilateral uncemented rotating platform TKR.
- Diagnosis of severe HO was confirmed via X-rays after presenting with pain and reduced range of motion.
- Treatment involved nonoperative measures: physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and anti-inflammatory medication.
Main Results:
- The patient experienced significant pain and loss of range of motion two months post-surgery.
- Following nonoperative treatment, the patient regained her range of motion by eight months.
- No surgical intervention or radiotherapy was required.
Conclusions:
- Nonoperative management can be a safe and effective treatment for heterotopic ossification causing stiffness after total knee replacement.
- Physiotherapy and anti-inflammatories may be sufficient to resolve HO-related joint stiffness.
- This case highlights a successful conservative approach to a rare TKR complication.
