Long-term radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy for neurogenic heterotopic ossification after spinal cord injury: A case report

Abstract

Context: Heterotopic ossification is characterized by abnormal growth of bone in soft tissues. Neurogenic heterotopic ossification is also closely related to central nervous system injuries and has been reported to respond to radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy.

Findings: In this case, a radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (five times per week, lasted for almost one year) was applied to a patient with neurogenic heterotopic ossification on the left hip as a result of spinal cord injury. Throughout the treatment session, the heterotopic ossification lesion was gradually diminished, associated with the increase in joint range of motion, pain mitigation and decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase level.

Conclusion/clinical relevance: Long-term radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy offers a promising therapeutic alternative for neurogenic heterotopic ossification.

Keywords:

• Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy
• Heterotopic ossification
• Spinal cord injury
• Neurogenic heterotopic ossification

Acknowledgments

The authors express their appreciation to all therapists at the hospital for their commitment to excellence during the intervention.

Ethics approval

This study was conducted with approval from the Institutional Review Board of Huashan Hospital, Fudan University.

Informed consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report (including images and data).

Disclaimer statements

Contributors .Yun Li and Yulan Zhu provided concept/idea/project design. Yun Li provided writing. Yulan Zhu, Zhen Xie and Congyu Jiang provided data collection. Dr. Fang Li provided consultation (including review of manuscript before submission).

Funding None.

Conflicts of interest No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).