Rapamycin treatment prevents crippling abnormal bone formation after severe limb injuries

(Elsevier) Individuals with severe injuries to their extremities often develop abnormal extra-skeletal bone in damaged or healing tissue, known as heterotopic ossification (HO). This post-traumatic abnormal wound healing can interfere with recovery, causing chronic pain, reduced mobility, and impaired prosthetic limb function. A new study describes a potential treatment breakthrough. Rapamycin, an FDA-approved drug already on the market, was found to dramatically reduce the presence of HO in rats, suggesting it has potential to become the first effective treatment to prevent HO.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news