Twelve patients who had had a total hip arthroplasty had extensive
excision of heterotopic bone, followed by prompt, low-dose irradiation,
between 1983 and 1990. Volumes of as much as 900 milliliters of heterotopic
bone tissue were resected. Of these patients, eleven had excellent relief
of pain, and all twelve gained an average of 45 degrees of flexion and 25
degrees of abduction. Two patients had a recurrence of heterotopic bone
(Brooker et al. class II); however, only one of these patients was
symptomatic and had a result that was considered a failure.