BACKGROUND: Heterotopic ossification is a common complication of surgery or trauma. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of levothyroxin in inhibition of heterotopic ossification. METHODS: Heterotopic ossification was induced in 36 rabbits in three identical groups by injecting 2 mL of bone marrow in right thigh. To prevent heterotopic ossification, levothyroxin (20 microg/kg) was administered orally daily for 4 weeks to two groups of adult rabbits: group A (preload)--starting 1 week preceding bone marrow injection; group B--started on day of injection; and group C--control group (no levothyroxin) in a rabbit model. After 5 weeks the rabbits were evaluated by radiographs for evidence of ossification. At the end of the study histologic samples were taken from all the thighs. RESULTS: Imaging and histologic studies showed, with statistical significance, almost complete prevention of heterotopic ossification in group A (preload) and a marked decrease in group B, when compared with the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Levothyroxin demonstrated efficacy in preventing heterotopic ossification.
BACKGROUND: Heterotopic ossification is a common complication of surgery or trauma. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of levothyroxin in inhibition of heterotopic ossification. METHODS: Heterotopic ossification was induced in 36 rabbits in three identical groups by injecting 2 mL of bone marrow in right thigh. To prevent heterotopic ossification, levothyroxin (20 microg/kg) was administered orally daily for 4 weeks to two groups of adult rabbits: group A (preload)--starting 1 week preceding bone marrow injection; group B--started on day of injection; and group C--control group (no levothyroxin) in a rabbit model. After 5 weeks the rabbits were evaluated by radiographs for evidence of ossification. At the end of the study histologic samples were taken from all the thighs. RESULTS: Imaging and histologic studies showed, with statistical significance, almost complete prevention of heterotopic ossification in group A (preload) and a marked decrease in group B, when compared with the controls. CONCLUSIONS:Levothyroxin demonstrated efficacy in preventing heterotopic ossification.