Myositis ossificans following forcible manipulation of the leg. A rabbit model for the study of heterotopic bone formation

Abstract

The right hind limbs of forty-four rabbits were immobilized with the knee in extension for as long as five weeks, except for a daily session of forcible mobilization lasting five minutes. Within five weeks there was progressive heterotopic-bone formation in the quadriceps muscle. The roentgenographic and histological changes were similar to those seen in human myositis ossificans.