features
Last reviewed 01/2018
This condition usually presents soon after the injury, especially dislocation of the elbow or a blow to the brachialis, deltoid or quadriceps, when the patient complains of pain. There is local swelling and soft-tissue tenderness.
Bones are normal on x-ray but a bone scan may reveal increased activity.
Over the next 2-3 week period the pain gradually subsides, but the joint movement is limited. X-rays may then show fluffy calcification of soft tissues.
After about 8 weeks there is bony mass in the soft tissues that is easily palpable and seen on x-ray.