Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) or the stone man syndrome is a disorder in which the muscle tissue and connective tissue such as tendons and ligaments are gradually replaced by bone. The extra skeletal bone formation causes the person loss of mobility as the joint become affected. Overtime the person affected with FOP has difficulty difficulties breathing, speaking, and eating. Due to their eating problem they may experience malnutrition.
Signs and symptoms of FOP can be observed as early as the birth of the person. Malformation of the person’s toes (short, bend and sometimes curves inward) at birth, can be an early sign for doctors to diagnose FOP. Another signs that children present at early state is scooting on their buttocks rather than crawl on their hands and knees. Most of the children have this sign because the facet joints in the back of the neck haven’t formed properly, which can limited movement of the children. Bone formation begins during the first two decade their of life. …show more content…
Individuals can experience various rate of bone formation, rapid bone progression, or gradual progression. The rate of the new bone formation something cannot be predicted, because of the rate can variable in each individual. In the early file people with FOP experiences new bone formation in their shoulders, neck, and upper back, and in teenager years or early adulthood they experiences new bone formation in their knees and hips. Also inflammation and sometime painful swelling on the back and shoulder areas, head or scalp can be initial signs of