Heterotopic ossification of the hip after non-accidental injury in a child: case report.

Abstract

Heterotopic ossification is bone formation that occurs in an abnormal soft tissue location, most commonly after trauma, head injury, and surgical procedures such as joint arthroplasty. We report a rare case of severe heterotopic ossification caused by nonaccidental injury in a 3-year-old child. To our knowledge, heterotopic ossification as a result of nonaccidental injury in children has been reported in only 2 other patients. Physicians should be aware of this rare presentation of nonaccidental injury, and nonaccidental injury should be considered in the differential diagnosis in children who present with heterotopic ossification.