Heterotopic Ossification after a Prolonged Course of COVID-19: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

We report the case of a 20-year-old male who developed severe HO of the left hip secondary to a prolonged course of COVID-19 pneumonia. Upon extubation, he was found to have debilitating left hip pain and significant functional deficits with regard to his range of motion and functional status. There are numerous known causes of heterotopic ossification (HO), including trauma, surgery, and traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries. An increased incidence of HO has also been reported in patients who undergo prolonged intubation. While the COVID-19 virus has many known respiratory and medical complications, it has also resulted in unforeseen complications that present long-term challenges for patients. When treating patients with coronavirus, physicians should be aware of HO as a possible complication and consider it as a cause of musculoskeletal pain.