Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva - in short - FOP is a very rare genetic disorder or disease that can be inherited in children by their parents. FOP is known by various other names also like Myositis Ossificans Progressiva, Stone Man (Obsolete) etc. In parents fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva happens by mutations and transfer in their children by inheritance.

Some times because of any injury, the fibrous tissues turned into bones. These damaged muscles, tendons and ligaments gradually shrink in size and develop bony structures in various affected areas. Sometimes the problem gets very worse situation with time and other muscles nearer to affected area becomes involved. Eyes muscles, the face muscles, the tongue muscles, the gullet, the intestines muscles never involved in this disease. The heart muscles are never involved in this fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva generally occur in soft tissues of the neck, spine, chest, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, jaw etc.

Causes and symptoms:

In children, the cause of happening fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva is an autosomal dominant allele on chromosome 4. In adults, mutation is main cause of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.

Most people affected by fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva have abnormal fingers or toes. Children with FOP have abnormal toes and missing joints by birth.

Treatment of Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva:

Currently there is no effective treatment for fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. In many cases orthopedic surgery is helpful in FOP. Doctors suggests following options for patients of FOP:

1. Low calcium diet
   
2. Decreased vitamin D intake
   
3. Chelating agents
   
4. Calcitonin
   
5. Steroids and bisphosphonates