heterotopic ossification
Pronunciation: heh-teh-roh-TOP-ik os-ih-fih-KAY-shun
Also written as: HO — Heterotopic Ossification
The abnormal formation of lamellar bone in soft tissues outside the skeleton, a serious secondary complication occurring in rehabilitation populations following traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or major burns.
Full Definition
Heterotopic ossification (HO) involves the deposition of mature bone in periarticular soft tissues, most commonly around the hip, elbow, shoulder, or knee. It is among the most consequential secondary complications in neurorehabilitation, potentially causing significant pain, restricted joint range of motion, and loss of function. HO is abbreviated as 'HO' in clinical documentation and must not be confused with osteophyte formation (age-related bony spur growth at joint margins) or with tumoral calcinosis. Editors should ensure the compound adjective is written as two words without hyphenation ('heterotopic ossification'), and that the abbreviation HO is expanded on first use in non-specialist documents.
Usage
Usage note: Two words, no hyphen. Abbreviate as 'HO' after first expansion. Do not conflate with 'calcification', which does not involve true bone formation.
In Context
- "Heterotopic ossification at the right hip was confirmed on plain radiograph, limiting passive flexion to 40 degrees." — Traumatic brain injury rehabilitation radiology report
- "The editor expanded 'HO' to 'heterotopic ossification (HO)' on its first appearance in the manuscript." — Neurorehabilitation journal article copyedit