progression of heterotopic ossification around the elbow after trauma

background: this study addresses the null hypothesis that there is no expansion of heterotopic ossification (ho) in the elbow beyond what can be seen early on.   methods: the area of ho was measured on lateral radiographs of 38 consecutive patients that had operative treatment of ho between 2000 and 2013. measurements from radiographs obtained between 3 to 7 weeks were compared to measurements from radiographs made 3 months or more after injury. results: there was no significant difference between the average area of ho on the first (median 2.8 square centimeters, q1: 1.5, q3: 5.1) and later radiographs (median of 2.8 square centimeters, q1: 1.4, q3: 5.0) (p = 0.99). discussion: according to our results the area of ho does not expand beyond what can be seen early in the disease process.