Establishing the Mineral Apposition Rate of Heterotopic Ossification for Prevention of Recurrence

Our team completed the study and the PI published/submitted 8 manuscripts and 4 abstracts during the period of performance. Our final paper of 33 service members demonstrated that the MAR of trauma-induced HO was approximately 1.7 m/day at the time of surgical intervention, a value I .7x higher than non-pathological human bone. The MAR and post-operative alkaline phosphatase (AP) values and AP pre-operative levels and the percent of osteoblastic activity were positively related and statistically significant (p0.509, p0.026, n J 9) and(p0.522, p 0.004, n29) respectively. When data was analyzed only with in a two-year period from injury to excision (thereby removing outliers that were significantly longer than counterparts) and traumatic brain injury and non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs were controlled for in the statistical analysis (known correlates with HO development), MAR and recurrence severity were significantly related(p-0.572, p0.041 , n J t ). Data from this grant showed a link between bench top research and bedside care, and demonstrates that the MAR is elevated in HO and correlated with recurrence risk; however, a larger sample size and more clinical factors are needed to refine this model. A follow-up HO grant awarded using this data as a benchmark for developing a translatable animal model (CDMRP-MRMC).