RADIATION PREVENTION OF HETEROTOPIC OSSIFICATION AFTER BONE AND JOINTSURGERY IN SITES OTHER THAN HIPS

Five patients were given single dose irradiation in an attempt to prev ent heterotopic ossification after bone and joint surgery in sites oth er than hips. All patients were at risk for the development of post-op erative heterotopic ossification. Two patients were treated with 6 Gy and three patients were treated with 7 Gy the day after operation. No complications were encountered. Post-operative heterotopic ossificatio n did not develop in patients who received 7 Gy, whereas treatment fai led in the two patients who received 6 Gy. Because this is a case repo rt study, no conclusion could be made. Further investigation is needed to assess the efficacy of post-operative single dose irradiation in h eterotopic ossification prophylaxis in sites other than hips in high r isk patients.