COVID-19 Can Trigger Shocking Condition Called Heterotopic Ossification Where Bone Grows in Muscles and Organs!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team May 28, 2025 2 days, 2 hours, 21 minutes ago
Medical News: In a startling medical revelation, Japanese researchers have uncovered a rare and painful complication linked to COVID-19 called heterotopic ossification (HO)—a condition where bone starts to grow in places it absolutely shouldn’t, such as muscles, soft tissue, and even internal organs. This abnormal bone growth can lead to severe pain, joint stiffness, and loss of mobility.
COVID-19 Can Trigger Shocking Condition Called Heterotopic Ossification Where Bone Grows in Muscles and Organs!
The study, led by doctors from the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Japanese Red Cross Aichi Medical Center Nagoya Daini Hospital in Nagoya, details a chilling case involving a 31-year-old woman who developed widespread bone growths in her body during an extended hospitalization for severe COVID-19. This
Medical News report highlights that her condition escalated after weeks on a ventilator and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)—a life support system for patients in critical respiratory failure.
A Shocking Turn of Events During Recovery
The patient, who was pregnant when admitted, had already endured a cesarean section, pneumonia, fungal blood infections, and dangerously low platelet levels. But two months into her hospital stay, as her lungs began to heal and she was slowly being taken off sedation, she began to experience severe pain and joint stiffness. Doctors soon discovered via X-rays and CT scans that bone was mysteriously forming in the muscles around her shoulders, hips, chest, and knees—a classic case of heterotopic ossification.
Tests revealed that her blood alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels—an enzyme linked to bone formation—were 15 times higher than normal, a strong indicator of abnormal bone growth activity. Despite beginning treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs and bisphosphonates like indomethacin and etidronate disodium, the damage was already extensive.
How COVID-19 Might Trigger Bone Formation
Normally, heterotopic ossification is caused by trauma, burns, surgery, or paralysis. But in recent years, doctors have begun observing a handful of similar cases tied directly to severe COVID-19 infections. What makes this even more alarming is that HO is now being seen in patients who were immobilized and placed on mechanical ventilation for extended periods.
The researchers believe that a combination of prolonged immobility, systemic inflammation from COVID-19, calcium metabolism disorders, and possibly even minor injuries from physical therapy sessions under sedation all contributed to triggering HO in this case. The patient’s pregnancy further complicated the picture, as normal pregnancy can temporarily elevate ALP levels, making diagnosis tricky.
Treatment Options Are Limited
Once HO starts, reversing it is incredibly difficult. In early stages, patients can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications and gentle physical therapy to preserve
joint movement. But in advanced cases, surgery is often required to cut away the rogue bone growth. However, surgical intervention is risky and only considered when the condition severely impacts the patient’s ability to move or care for themselves.
In this patient’s case, her condition stabilized somewhat, and she was eventually discharged after four months of rehabilitation. While she regained the ability to walk using a T-cane, her joint movement remains limited. Follow-up scans showed some initial improvement, but four months later, her HO had worsened again.
Why This Matters
This rare case serves as an urgent warning to both doctors and recovering COVID-19 patients. Joint pain and stiffness after a hospital stay shouldn’t be dismissed as simple side effects of bed rest. If HO is not caught early, it can result in lifelong disability and pain.
The study authors caution that HO should now be considered a possible post-COVID-19 complication—especially in patients who have spent weeks sedated and immobilized in intensive care. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to minimizing long-term damage.
Conclusion
The findings from this Japanese study reveal a deeply concerning link between severe COVID-19 and a bizarre medical condition where bones form in soft tissue and joints. As the world continues to uncover the long-term effects of COVID-19, the medical community must remain vigilant in recognizing complications like heterotopic ossification. While the condition is still rare, it can have devastating consequences if overlooked. Comprehensive rehabilitation, early imaging, and ongoing monitoring are key. More research is urgently needed to understand how this happens and how it can be prevented or better treated in future patients.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Cureus
https://www.cureus.com/articles/59624-heterotopic-ossification-after-covid-19-a-case-report-and-review-of-literature#!/
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