The role of muscular trauma in the development of heterotopic ossification after hip surgery: An animal-model study in rats.

Abstract Background Heterotopic ossification (HO), the formation of bone in soft tissues, is a frequent complication after surgery of the hip and the pelvis. Although the pathophysiological entities responsible for the formation of HO remain largely unclear, muscle trauma is alleged to play a central role in the pathogenic mechanisms underlying HO. However, for this observation, made by many surgeons for decades, no objective evidence has been provided yet. Methods Fifty male Wistar rats were subjected to surgery of the right hip. The femoral canal was reamed in three steps up to 2 mm. Animals formed 2 groups: in group 1 (25 animals) every effort was taken not to injure the muscles. In cont…