Abstract：Traumatic heterotopic ossification is the formation of extra-skeletal bone within soft tissues or joints after trauma. Injury factors induce many types of precursor cells to participate in this process. Many cytokines such as bone morphogenetic proteins, hypoxia inducible factor 1-α, inflammation factors and fibrin, can influence this process. Formation of heterotopic ossification often leads to the limitation of limb function and pain. However, prevention and treatment of heterotopic ossification often lead to bone nonunion and high recurrence rate. To find a treatment that can inhibit the formation of heterotopic ossification without affecting fracture healing has become a concern of clinicians. It is necessary to explore the formation mechanism of heterotopic ossification and find effective and safe methods. The authors document the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in formation of traumatic heterotopic ossification for better understanding the factors affecting the formation of heterotopic ossification so as to provide references for new treatment methods.
