HETEROTOPIC OSSIFICATION AFTER SPINAL CORD INJURY: PREVENTION AND TREATMENT - A SISTEMATIC REVIEW

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a leading cause of severe disability.
• Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a common and debilitating complication following SCI.
• Current treatments for HO lack a definitive gold standard, necessitating a review of existing literature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the current literature on the prevention and treatment of heterotopic ossification (HO) in patients with spinal cord injury.
• To identify evidence-based strategies for managing this frequent comorbidity.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases.
• Study followed PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines.
• Screening of 193 initial articles, with eight ultimately included for review.

Main Results:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) demonstrated efficacy in preventing HO during the acute post-traumatic period.
• Surgical resection was identified as the most effective treatment for mature HO or HO with ankylosis.
• High rates of postoperative infections were noted as a significant concern with surgical intervention.

Conclusions:

• NSAIDs represent a promising prophylactic measure for HO post-SCI.
• Surgical intervention remains the primary treatment for advanced HO, but requires careful management of infection risks.
• Further research is needed to optimize HO prevention and treatment strategies in SCI patients.