Case: A 64-year-old woman with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) sustained a Gustilo-Anderson type III open tibia and fibula fracture. She underwent debridement, irrigation, open reduction and internal fixation, and primary closure, followed by postoperative corticosteroids. A nondisplaced peri-implant fracture slowed recovery 3.5 months postoperatively, but she improved steadily and subjectively regained 90% of baseline function at 1 year, without significant heterotopic bone formation. Conclusion: In FOP patients with open fractures, standard surgical management and careful postoperative inflammation control can yield favorable outcomes. An interdisciplinary approach is critical for the safe care of patients with this rare pathology.
Nakken et al. (2026) studied this question.