Heterotopic ossification is the formation of ectopic lamellar bone in soft tissues. It is increasingly recognized as a complication following trauma, burns, neurologic injuries, and major orthopaedic surgeries1-3. Heterotopic ossification was first described during World War I as a consequence of blast injuries, and remains a major cause of morbidity in soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan1, 4, 5. The disability incurred as a result of heterotopic ossification is quite variable, and> 20% of patients develop overt dysfunction as a result of soft-tissue loss, joint contractures, and chronic pain; rates of heterotopic ossification in the setting of civilian injury with traumatic brain injury are as high as 50% 2, 3, 5-7. Current research seeks to better understand the underlying cellular, biochemical, and mechanical processes to provide earlier diagnoses and develop more effective forms of treatment6, 8, 9 (Fig. 1). In this review, we highlight the need for improved recognition of heterotopic ossification as a common cause of morbidity after specific mechanisms of injury, and highlight factors about the epidemiology, management, and pathophysiology to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition.