Mechanical Stress and Heterotopic Ossification Progression in Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva

Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) is a rare genetic disorder that causes bone formation in soft tissue, also known as Heterotopic Ossification (HO). Previous clinical studies have identified a possible link between patient mechanical stress and HO progression, as immobilization of an injury led to lower levels of HO, while mouse model studies of FOP have also demonstrated that biomechanical signaling promotes HO. A mouse model of a muscle injury with and without immobilization, followed by micro-CT and histology, was used to evaluate HO progression post-injury. Immobilized mice showed significantly less HO 14 days post-injury, along with lower overall HO than controls. However, immobilization may have led to unintended HO formation at non-injury sites. These findings highlight the possibility of immobilization as a therapeutic approach for FOP patients.