MYOSITIS OSSIFICANS

also called stiffman syndrome rare disorder in which muscle tissue is replaced by bone. In the more common local type (myositis ossificans circumscripta), only one area is affected; ossification is usually observed to follow injury to the part. In the progressive type (myositis ossificans progressiva), group after group of muscles become ossified until the individual is completely rigid. Breathing and swallowing become difficult, and death usually follows respiratory infection. The cause of the disease is unknown; steroid treatment of muscle injury and the use of drugs to prevent calcification may slow its progress.