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I am a 77-year old woman in good health. I had my left knee joint replaced last year. I ended up with a stiff knee that had to be manipulated by the surgeon while I was under anesthesia. Then, I developed something called heterotopic ossification (HO). I’m thinking about having my right knee joint replaced. What are the chances I’ll get HO again?

With heterotopic ossification (HO) bone cells form inside soft tissues, such as muscles. This occurs shortly after some other operation. It’s also more likely after a knee joint manipulation.

Patients who’ve had HO are at greater risk of having it again after other surgeries. The doctor can give you treatment before the next operation to prevent HO. This includes radiation and drugs to slow down bone growth. Even with preventive treatment, HO can occur a second time.

Reference: 

Richard Iorio, MD, and William L. Healy, MD. Heterotopic Ossification After Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: Risk Factors, Prevention, and Treatment. In Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. November/December 2002. Vol. 10. No. 6. Pp.409-416.

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