a
- Ankylosing
Stiffening or fixation of a joint due to the joining of the bones.
b
- Bilateral
Affecting both sides of the body, for example both the left and right great toes.
- Biospy
The process of taking a sample of tissue, cells or fluids for examination.
- BMPs
BMPs or Bone Morphogenic Proteins are a family of proteins involved in bone growth among other activities in the body. In the presence of the mutated FOP gene ALK2/ACVR1, changes occur in how certain BMPs function and this leads to extra bone growth in places where it should not be present.
- Bunions
Swelling and stiffening of the main joints of the great or big toes that cause the joints to point inwards and force the toes towards the smaller toes. The medical term for a bunion is hallux valgus.
c
- Chromosome
Chromosomes are the thread-like or rod-shaped structures of DNA.
- Congenital
Existing from birth. Something you are born with.
- Connective tissues
Tissues that maintain the form of the body and its organs and provide cohesion and internal support. Examples include tendons and ligaments.
f
- Fibroblasts
Fibroblasts are the most common type of cell found in connective tissue such as tendons and ligaments. Fibroblasts produce collagen, which is an essential structural component of the body.
- Fibromatosis
A condition where multiple fibromas develop. Fibromas are benign (not cancerous) tumours that consist of fibrous tissue.
- Flare-up
Episodic, painful inflammatory soft tissue swellings that occur in people with FOP. These flare-ups often result in the formation of HO.
- Flare-ups
Episodic, painful inflammatory soft tissue swellings that occur in people with FOP. These flare-ups often result in the formation of HO.
- FOP gene
An altered copy of the activin-like kinase 2 or activin receptor type-1 (ALK2/ ACVR1) gene.
g
- Gene
A specific sequence of DNA that sits on a chromosome. Genes are passed from parents to their children and are thus the basic units of inheritance. Every person has two copies of each gene, one inherited from each parent.
- Genetic mutation
An alteration in a gene that makes it different from normal. A genetic mutation can result in abnormal effects in the body, such as extra bone growing in places it should not.
- Great toe
The largest or first toe of the foot. Also commonly known as the ‘big toe’.
h
- Hallux
Hallux is the medical name for the largest or first toe of the foot. Commonly known as the great toe or 'big' toe.
- Hallux valgus
The medical name for a bunion, a deformity of the big or great toe.
- Heterotopic Ossification
Heterotopic Ossification or HO is the presence of bone formation where bone should normally not exist.
- HO
HO or Heterotopic Ossification is the presence of bone formation where bone should normally not exist.
i
- Intramuscular
Into the muscle.
- Intramuscular injection
An injection into the muscle.
j
- Juvenile
Relating to children or young people
l
- Ligaments
Tough, fibrous bands of tissue that connect the joints or support organs in the body.
m
- Misdiagnosis
An incorrect diagnosis.
- Mutation
A change or alteration from the normal state.
p
- Palliative
Something that is palliative aims to ease or reduce symptoms without curing the underlying disease.
- Passive range of motion
Passive range of motion is where someone else physically moves or stretches a part of your body, such as your arm or leg.
s
- Sign
A sign is something that can be objectively measured and observed by others. For example, turned-in great toes or unusual lumps appearing near the spine.
- Spondylitis
Inflammation of the joints (vertebrae) in the spine.
- Subcutaneous
Under the skin.
- Symptom
A symptom is something that is felt by the individual and may not be apparent to others. It is subjective and may differ from person to person. Examples are pain or feeling tired.
t
- Tendons
A tough type of fibrous connective tissue that joins a muscle with some other part of the body (such as a bone).
- Tumor
A tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue in the body. Tumors are not always cancerous and can be benign.
- Turned-in great toes
Where the great toes are turned inwards towards the rest of the foot. A characteristic sign of FOP which is often mistaken for bunions.
Please always consult a healthcare professional if you require healthcare advice or if you have any specific concerns regarding Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva. The information provided here is not intended to replace professional advice.
This website has been developed by Ipsen in collaboration with those living with Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva and the healthcare professionals who care for them. Ipsen would like to thank everyone for their valuable insights and stories. All names used on this website are not necessarily real names.
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