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The mythological parallels of turning into stone?: Myositis Ossificans

Written by Emman Allahgul

Med Youth Alliance | March 2026


From the Greek mythology of Medusa, we know that anyone who looked at her would turn into stone. Although it is a myth, modern viewers may speculate that this myth was an early interpretation of Myositis Ossificans.


WHAT IS MYOSITIS OSSIFICANS?


  • It is when a bone forms inside your muscle or other soft tissue, usual occurring after a traumatic injury

  • It often affects larger muscles such as in your arms and legs


TYPES OF MYOSITIS OSSIFICANS:


  • NON HEREDITARY MYOSITIS OSSIFICANS: the common type. Caused by improper healing of a bruise to the large muscles, often in arms or thighs

  • MYOSITIS OSSIFICANS PROGRESSIVA: occurs because of a gene mutation. An older term people use to reference fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP)


HOW DOES IT HAPPEN?


Non hereditary myositis ossificans

  • Exact cause is not widely understood but it is believed that it may develop if a bruise (direct blow or impact to a muscle) re-bleeds during recovery

  • A bruise can re-bleed if someone returns to intense physical activity too soon, without proper recovery

  • OR when your body makes bone cells rather than muscle cells (fibroblasts) during recovery


Myositis ossificans progressiva

  • A gene mutation that can be inherited from parents

  • Gene mutation may occur randomly


SYMPTOMS:


A lump may form beneath the skin that:

  • Gets progressively worse

  • Fast- growing

  • Painful

  • Swollen

  • Tender

    Warm to the touch

  • Reduced range of motion S

  • Overall stiffness, weakness or numbness to affected area


WHO’S MOST LIKELY TO GET IT?


  • More common in young, active people

  • Athletes of all levels

  • People who are paralysed from the waist down (paraplegia)


DIAGNOSIS:


  • CT scans

  • MRI

  • Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

  • Ultrasound

  • X-ray

  • Biopsy


MANAGEMENT/TREATMENTS:


  • Limiting activity

  • Using elastic bandage

  • Physical therapy (physiotherapy)

  • Surgery to remove the bone

  • Hydrotherapy (carrying out exercises/physiotherapy in warm water to relieve pain, relax, strengthen muscles, increase circulation and improve function)

  • Electrotherapy (using an electric current to accelerate healing and reduce swelling and pain)

  • Soft tissue treatment (treating soft tissue such as ligaments, tendons, fascia and muscles)

  • Exercise programmes (used for physical rehabilitation and development)





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