Heterotopic Ossification After Multiligament Knee Injury Is Associated With Knee-Spanning External Fixation and...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Trauma Care
• Radiology

Background:

• Heterotopic ossification (HO) can significantly impair function following multiligament knee injuries (MLKIs).
• Risk factors contributing to HO development after MLKIs remain incompletely understood.
• Identifying these factors is crucial for managing post-injury complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of HO in patients who sustained MLKIs.
• To identify specific risk factors associated with HO development post-MLKI.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study design was employed, analyzing data from 128 patients treated for MLKIs.
• Radiographs were reviewed by musculoskeletal radiologists to detect HO, comparing injury and follow-up images.
• Multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors of HO, adjusting for injury and treatment variables.

Main Results:

• The study found an HO incidence of 35% among patients with MLKIs.
• Knee-spanning external fixation (KSEF) and central nervous system (CNS) trauma were identified as significant independent predictors of HO.
• Patients with KSEF had an 8.51-fold increased odds of developing HO, while CNS trauma increased odds by 6.63 times.

Conclusions:

• The incidence of HO after MLKI is substantial at 35%.
• KSEF and CNS trauma are independently associated with increased HO risk.
• Recognizing these risk factors aids in identifying high-risk patients for monitoring and prophylaxis, informing treatment decisions.