Myositis Ossificans Traumatica of Bilateral Sternocleidomastoid Muscles After Chiropractor Adjustment: A Case Report

TL;DR

A woman developed myositis ossificans in her neck muscles after a chiropractic adjustment, leading to persistent pain and muscle ossification.

Contribution

This case report highlights a rare occurrence of myositis ossificans following chiropractic treatment.

Findings

The patient developed muscle ossification in the sternocleidomastoid muscles after a chiropractic adjustment.

CT imaging showed heterotopic ossification extending to surgical and soft tissue areas.

The patient was diagnosed with myositis ossificans, a rare condition typically linked to trauma.

Abstract

A woman in her 20s with a past medical history of surgical debulking of a right neck mass presented to the hospital for persistent and worsening right shoulder pain. The shoulder pain was associated with trismus and back and neck pain. A CT scan of the neck with contrast revealed post-surgical changes with increased heterotopic ossification throughout the surgical site extending to the supraclavicular soft tissues and the left sternocleidomastoid muscle, suggesting muscle ossification. A biopsy was performed, and the patient was diagnosed with myositis ossificans (MO). Initial treatment began with the administration of steroids and analgesics. She was scheduled for a follow-up with orthopedics, rheumatology, and genetics, but she was lost for follow-up. MO is a very rare medical condition usually associated with trauma, and in our patient, the symptoms started after a chiropractic adjustment.

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