Myositis ossificans of the upper extremity: a long-term follow-up.

The long-term results of nonoperative treatment of myositis ossificans traumatica have been infrequently reported. We reviewed 83 cases of myositis ossificans seen at the Mayo Clinic from 1950 to 1979 in patients up to 21 years of age. The upper extremity was involved in 31 patients. Follow-up averaged 13 years for 23 of the (74%) patients studied. Football injuries had occurred in 20 of these patients, and the diagnosis was made an average of 3.3 weeks from the time of the initial injury. Observation was the only treatment in 18 of the 31 cases. At follow-up two-thirds of the patients with upper extremity involvement had no problems associated with the disorder, and one-third described some difficulties. Nonoperative treatment remains an accepted management approach for this problem.