Regional blood flow in experimental myositis ossificans. A microsphere study in conscious rabbits.

In a recent model for heterotopic bone formation (Michelsson et al. 1980). muscular oedema, swelling and necrosis is seen in the quadriceps muscle of rabbit hind limbs immobilized for at least 2 weeks when, from the second week, the immobilized limb is subjected to daily forcible mobilization lasting about 5 min. According to this model, heterotopic calcification develops gradually from the second week of forcible mobilization and is located in the vastus intermedius region. Between the fourth and fifth week of immobilization and forcible mobilization, heterotopic bone formation is seen in virtually all cases. The histological findings are similar to those in human ectopic bone formation. In the present investigation the labelled microsphere technique was used to study the regional blood flow effects in the early development of myositis ossificans with this model. The results are quite different from those reported by other investigators on immobilization alone and point to a causal relation between regional blood flow and forcible mobilization of the immobilized rabbit hind limb. Prostaglandins as mediators between the traumatic inflammation, a part of the circulatory effects observed and the induction of new bone is suggested.