Prophylaxis and treatment of heterotopic ossifications after total hip arthroplasty – contemporary view and proposition of the algorithm

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is the abnormal formation of mature bone in extraskeletal soft tissues, which may commonly occur after Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA). Despite the high incidence of HO and multiple clinical studies examining the phenomenon, the pathophysiology and etiology of HO remain unclear. In advanced cases, HO may significantly decrease results of surgery by impairing range of motion in joint and induce pain. For now, no prophylaxes protocol for prevention of HO in patients after THA exists. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) treatment and localized low-dose irradiation are currently available only as prophylaxis of HO formation. The authors, con-ducted a review summering present state of view in case of diagnosis and prophylaxis of HO occur-rence in different clinical cases of patients qualified for Total Hip Arthroplasty.