Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a condition many PT students don’t encounter until clinical rotations — but it frequently appears on the NPTE because it mimics other serious conditions like DVT, infection, or fractures.
In this episode of the NPTE Studycast, we break down what heterotopic ossification is, why it occurs, and how physical therapists should recognize it during evaluation.
You’ll learn how HO develops when bone forms within soft tissues outside the joint capsule, the clinical presentations that often confuse clinicians, and why it commonly occurs after trauma, neurological injury, or prolonged immobilization.
We also review the most common differential diagnoses, the imaging used to confirm HO, and what the PT’s role is in treatment and prevention — including the importance of early mobility, positioning, and maintaining joint range of motion.
If you’re preparing for the NPTE, understanding how HO presents and how it differs from conditions like deep vein thrombosis or infection can help you safely answer differential diagnosis questions on the exam.
Chapters
00:00 Heterotopic Ossification Overview
01:00 Causes And Risk Factors
02:10 Symptoms And Presentation
03:05 Diagnosis And Imaging
04:00 PT Management And Prevention
