Stone Man's Syndrome Research Paper

Stone Man’s Syndrome Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive, more commonly known as ‘Stone Man’s Syndrome’ or the abbreviation ‘FOP’, is genetic disease involving the body’s connective tissue. It is one of the medical world’s most rare and debilitating illnesses. As its common name says, Stone Man’s Disease causes “bone tissue begins to grow where muscles, tendons, and other connective tissues should be, effectively restricting movement” (Torres, 2013). As a result, the boy’s ligaments, tendons, and muscles form into solid bone. The individual with the disease will eventually develop a second skeleton over top of his/her original one (Panter, 2013). Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive is the only documented medical condition in which a normal functioning organ system turns into another (FOP, 2009). Because “the heart and other organs are made up of a different kind of muscle, they do not grow bone tissue” and remain unaffected by the disease’s effects (Torres, 2013). Because Stone Man’s Disease turns the body’s muscles, tendons, and ligaments into solid bone a person with the
Very few doctors and medical professionals ever encounter it during their years in practice (FOP, 2009). It is estimated that it affects approximately one in every two million people and there are only 800 confirmed cases around the world (FOP, 2009). Because Stone Man’s Disease is so rare, it is commonly misdiagnosed. “Misdiagnosis rates for FOP have previously been reported to be in the range of 80% or greater” (FOP, 2009). The disorder is most often misdiagnosed as cancer, aggressive juvenile fibromatosis, and fibrous dysplasia (FOP, 2009). Doctors need to take extra measures to make sure they do not misdiagnose someone with Stone Man’s Disease because surgery and other trauma to the muscles can make the disorder worse by triggering a flare-up (FOP,