Heterotopic ossification following total wrist arthroplasty: a case report

Total wrist arthroplasty as a procedure in patients with advanced osteoarthritis has gained more popularity in recent years. As early implants had high rates of complications and newer implants have only slowly gained traction, some sequelae have not been reported yet.

This study presents the case of a male German patient, 57 years old, with advanced osteoarthritis who received arthroplasty and presented with severely restricted range of motion 6 weeks after surgery. Radiographs revealed signs of heterotopic ossification that could be confirmed during the revision surgery. Intraoperatively, ossifications were removed and the mobile parts of the implant were changed. In the further course of the healing process, no further signs of ossifications have been reported for 1 year, but range of motion remains reduced.

This is the first reported case of heterotopic ossification of the wrist following arthroplasty. Heterotopic ossification should be taken into consideration in cases of restricted range of motion after arthroplasty to be able to handle this complication adequately.