Heterotopic Ossification Medication

  • Author: Kresimir Banovac, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD   more...
 
Updated: Dec 2, 2011
 

Medication Summary

Today, the medical treatment of HO is directed at early HO. In the later stages of the development of mature bone, medical treatment is ineffective. Etidronate (Didronel) is the only available medication for the treatment of HO after SCI.[14, 25] Treatment with NSAIDs may be required initially, until the resolution of inflammation and the normalization of CRP levels.[3]

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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents

Class Summary

Presumed to have direct and indirect effects on the formation of HO. Direct effect refers to the inhibition of the differentiation of mesenchymal cells into osteogenic cells, and indirect effect refers to the inhibition of posttraumatic bone remodeling by suppression of the prostaglandin-mediated inflammatory response.

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Indomethacin (Indocin)

 

Known to inhibit synthesis of prostaglandins.

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Bisphosphonates

Class Summary

The bisphosphonate group of compounds has properties similar to naturally occurring pyrophosphate, which may be a regulator of calcification.[2] Etidronate disodium is the most extensively studied of this class of drugs for the treatment of HO. Etidronate acts by (1) inhibiting precipitation of calcium phosphate from unsaturated solutions, (2) delaying aggregation of apatite crystals into layers, and (3) blocking conversion of calcium phosphate into hydroxyapatite. Apparently, predisposition to the inflammatory process and mineralization decreases with time, although it is not understood why. This phenomenon may be why there is no massive rebound bone formation after cessation of etidronate. Thus, the effectiveness of etidronate depends entirely on when and how long it is given, and the drug does not affect HO that has already formed.

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Etidronate disodium (Didronel)

 

Reduces bone formation and does not alter renal tubular reabsorption of calcium. The effects of etidronate increase as the dose increases. Agent does not appear to affect fracture healing.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Kresimir Banovac, MD, PhD  Professor, Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine and Medicine, Associate Vice Chairman, Department of Rehabilitation Science, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Medical Director, Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Unit, Jackson Memorial Medical Center

Kresimir Banovac, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Spinal Injury Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

John Speed  MBBS, Professor (Clinical), Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Adjunct Professor, Nursing Director, Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation, Medical Director, Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, University of Utah School of Medicine

John Speed is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pain Medicine, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Pain Society, Association of Academic Physiatrists, International Association for the Study of Pain, International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, and Utah Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Robert L Sheridan, MD  Assistant Chief of Staff, Chief of Burn Surgery, Shriners Burns Hospital; Associate Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma and Burns, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School

Robert L Sheridan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, American Burn Association, and American College of Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Patrick M Foye, MD  Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Co-Director of Musculoskeletal Fellowship, Co-Director of Back Pain Clinic, Director of Coccyx Pain Service (Tailbone Pain Service: www.TailboneDoctor.com), University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School

Patrick M Foye, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, Association of Academic Physiatrists, and International Spine Intervention Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Kelly L Allen, MD  Medical Director, Medevals

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD  Physiatrist, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Alegent Health, Immanuel Rehabilitation Center

Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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