Long-term Orthopedic Manifestations of COVID-19: Heterotopic Ossification and Digital Necrosis

Despite its classification as an atypical pneumonia, COVID-19 is a disease that is capable of inflicting damage beyond the respiratory system. The wide range of musculoskeletal complications secondary to acute COVID-19 are a significant source of morbidity in hospitalized patients. We present the case of a 23-year-old woman with severe COVID-19 who required intubation and had a prolonged hospital course that was complicated by partial-thickness necrosis of her fingers and heterotopic ossification of the distal thigh. We review current treatments for these orthopedic conditions in the setting of SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as highlight areas for future research. Additionally, we discuss the subacute musculoskeletal complications of COVID-19, which are among the most common long-term manifestations of the disease and are increasingly important for a growing number of COVID-19 survivors.