MYOSITIS OSSIFICANS: CALCIFICATION OF THE ENTIRE TIBIALIS ANTERIOR AFTER ISCHAEMIC INJURY (COMPARTMENT SYNDROME)

Myositis ossificans is relatively uncommon; it causes calcification and later ossification in muscles or soft tissues. Two-thirds of cases are traumatic in origin and it has most often been described around the elbow, although it is equally common in the thigh and calf and is also reported in the foot, hand and scapular region (Nuovo et al 1992). We report a case of traumatic myositis ossificans which involved the entire anterior and part of the deep posterior compartments of the leg after an ischaemic injury (compartment syndrome). We are aware of no previous description. Case report. A 31-year-old man presented 14 years after a road-traffic accident in which he had sustained fractures of the lower third of the femur and the proximal tibia, with damage to the popliteal artery. The artery had been initially repaired using a saphenous vein graft, but an unsatisfactory result had required further exploration and the use of a dacron mesh graft. The fractures were treated in skeletal traction and had united after about seven months. During this time, the patient gradually developed an increasing equinus deformity which became worse in the next few years with fixed-flexion deformities of the toes. At 14 years after the injury, there was extreme limitation of ankle movements with some pain in the leg, particularly on walking. Radiography showed extensive myositis ossificans of the anterior compartment and the distal part of the