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Updated: Dec 25, 2025
Direct Mouse Trauma/Burn Model of Heterotopic Ossification
Published on: August 6, 2015
Global Excision of Severe Heterotopic Ossification of the Shoulder: A Case Report
Elizabeth M Polfer1,2, Kyle E Nappo2, Jeffrey R Giuliani1,2
1Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.
Case:
A 21-year-old man sustained a closed glenohumeral fracture/dislocation as a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle. He was treated nonoperatively and developed severe post-traumatic heterotopic ossification (HO) with near-complete shoulder ankylosis. We present our technique for safe surgical excision.
Conclusions:
Excision led to improvements in motion and quality of life at 1 year postoperatively. Recommendations for successful HO excision around the shoulder include excision after at least 180 days, appropriate preoperative imaging to include cross-sectional imaging and a 3D model, intraoperative fluoroscopy, well-serviced instruments, preparation for iatrogenic fracture and/or neurovascular injury, meticulous hemostasis, postoperative HO prophylaxis, immediate postoperative therapy, and involvement of a multidisciplinary team.
