Reactions of thigh tissues of sheep to blunt trauma.

Severe damage to the deep musculature of the thigh was caused by standardized crushing injuries applied to muscle overlying the femora of anesthetized sheep. The injuries caused an acute inflammatory response, with the formation of granulation tissue and, later, extensive scarring. Periosteal bone formed in all cases, in some instances resulting in a spike of bone that protruded into the overlying soft tissue. Heterotopic bone formed in 16.6% of the legs of sheep within three weeks to three months after trauma by intramembranous ossification within scar tissue replacing muscle tissue.