Medical guidelines for fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is an ultra-rare genetic condition characterized by congenital malformations of the great toes and progressive heterotopic ossification (HO) in specific anatomic patterns. Present management summarized here is focused on early diagnosis, assiduous avoidance of injury and iatrogenic harm, symptomatic amelioration of painful flare-ups, and optimization of residual function. Twenty-one members of the International Clinical Council on FOP (ICC) and seven consultants from 15 countries, chosen for their clinical expertise in FOP, developed this summary statement. Further advances in therapeutics will be based on rigorous clinical trials to assess novel and emerging treatment and prevention strategies. A detailed and updated exploration of the topics outlined in this brief perspective can be found in "The Medical Management of Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva: Current Treatment Considerations" which can be found on the International Clinical Council on FOP (ICC) website (www.iccfop.org).