Which condition describes ossified hematoma within soft tissues?

Which condition describes ossified hematoma within soft tissues?

• A. Osteoarthritis
• B. Myositis ossificans
• C. Tendinopathy
• D. Bursitis

Answer: (B)

Myositis ossificans is bone forming in soft tissue after a traumatic injury. When a muscle sustains a contusion, a hematoma may develop; over time this hematoma can organize and begin to ossify, creating an ossified mass within the muscle. This is the classic scenario described by “ossified hematoma within soft tissues.” It’s a feature of heterotopic bone formation in muscle, not a problem of a joint, tendon, or bursa. This differs from osteoarthritis, which is degeneration of articular cartilage within a joint; tendinopathy, which involves degeneration or irritation of a tendon; and bursitis, which is inflammation of a bursa. In myositis ossificans, the hallmark is bone formation inside soft tissue after trauma, often visible on imaging as a calcified/ossified mass that matures over weeks.

Myositis ossificans is bone forming in soft tissue after a traumatic injury. When a muscle sustains a contusion, a hematoma may develop; over time this hematoma can organize and begin to ossify, creating an ossified mass within the muscle. This is the classic scenario described by “ossified hematoma within soft tissues.” It’s a feature of heterotopic bone formation in muscle, not a problem of a joint, tendon, or bursa.

This differs from osteoarthritis, which is degeneration of articular cartilage within a joint; tendinopathy, which involves degeneration or irritation of a tendon; and bursitis, which is inflammation of a bursa. In myositis ossificans, the hallmark is bone formation inside soft tissue after trauma, often visible on imaging as a calcified/ossified mass that matures over weeks.