Heterotopic ossification of the shoulder joint following spinal cord injury: an analysis of 21 cases after single-dose radiation therapy.
METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


OBJECTIVE
Heterotopic ossification (HO) affecting the hips is a common complaint of patients suffering traumatic spinal cord injury. However, the incidence of HO of the shoulder is considerably rare. In this context, we report on our results of 13 patients with a total of 21 cases of shoulder HO and single-dose radiation therapy.


METHODS
Department of Spinal Cord Injury and Department of General and Trauma Surgery, BG-University Hospital Bergmannsheil Bochum, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.


METHODS
The study group consists of 12 male and 1 female patient with a mean age of 55.5 years (range from 24 to 81 years; s.d.=14.5). Primary outcome measures were defined as the number of HO relapses and the number of side or adverse effects in relation to the radiation therapy.


RESULTS
At the time of latest follow-up during hospitalization, the mean shoulder flexion was 92.1° while mean abduction was 94.5°. The average external rotation was 26.4°. No HO recurrence occurred and none of the patients suffered any adverse effects related to radiation therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, single-dose radiation therapy in the treatment of shoulder HO due to spinal cord injury is an effective and reliable method, although the risk of secondary side effects related to the radiation therapy remain unknown.
Department of Spinal Cord Injury, BG-University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
M
M
Citak
Department of Spinal Cord Injury, BG-University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
D
D
Grasmücke
Department of General and Trauma Surgery, BG-University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr- University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
O
O
Cruciger
Department of General and Trauma Surgery, BG-University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr- University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
M
M
Königshausen
Department of Spinal Cord Injury, BG-University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
R
R
Meindl
Department of General and Trauma Surgery, BG-University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr- University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
T A
TA
Schildhauer
Department of Spinal Cord Injury, BG-University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
M
M
Aach
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult