Clinical Utility of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Localizing Heterotopic Ossification of the Hip in a Patient with Chronic Burns: A Case Report

Abstract

Patients with burns are predisposed to heterotopic ossification and contracture formation. While radiographs and bone scans are used to detect heterotopic ossification, musculoskeletal ultrasound can be used to diagnose and localize the lesion in patients with contractures. A 14-year-old girl with multiple contractures of the limbs from thermal burn injury sustained three years ago underwent in-patient rehabilitation in a sub-acute burn rehabilitation unit. Despite close monitoring and daily therapy sessions, the patient had minimal improvement in the range of motion of bilateral hips. Musculoskeletal ultrasound demonstrated hyperechogenic focus on the posterolateral aspect of the bilateral hips. This report documents the advantage of diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound in localizing and guiding the treatment of heterotopic ossification in a burn patient with contractures.