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Case Reports
. 2020 Aug 17;13(8):e233210.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2019-233210.

Rare case of a traumatic myositis ossificans in the tibialis anterior muscle

Chantal J Nieuwenhuizen  1 , Peter L J van Veldhoven  2 , Robert F van Oosterom  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Rare case of a traumatic myositis ossificans in the tibialis anterior muscle

Chantal J Nieuwenhuizen et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

Athletes involved in contact sports can be diagnosed with traumatic myositis ossificans. Myositis ossificans is characterised by a benign ossifying lesion in soft tissue mass, most commonly preceded by a muscle contusion in the thigh. Despite the fact that it is often a self-limiting disease, treatment modalities are anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy, shockwave therapy, radiation therapy or surgical resection. We report a 22-year-old competitive football player with severe ongoing pain in the lower leg after a direct trauma. An X-ray showed calcification between the tibia and fibula. An additional ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis: myositis ossificans of the tibialis anterior muscle. After treating him with anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy, he was able to return to sports. Myositis ossificans of the lower leg is an uncommon, though if present, troublesome condition, occurring after a contusion.

Keywords: accidents, injuries; musculoskeletal and joint disorders; orthopaedics; physiotherapy (sports medicine); sports and exercise medicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) X-ray anteroposterior lower leg with calcification measuring 5×1 cm marked with *. (B) X-ray lateral view without abnormalities.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Ultrasound showing a calcification inside the tibialis anterior muscle measuring approximately 3.7 cm.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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