[HeadlessHorseman]

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), sometimes referred to as Stone Man Syndrome, is an extremely rare disease of the connective tissue. A mutation of the body's repair mechanism causes fibrous tissue (including muscle, tendon, and ligament) to be ossified when damaged.

In many cases, injuries can cause joints to become permanently frozen in place. Surgical removal of the extra bone growths has been shown to cause the body to "repair" the affected area with more bone.

Children born with FOP have deformed big toes, possibly missing a joint or simply presenting with a notable lump at the minor joint. The first "flare-up" that leads to the formation of FOP bones usually occurs before the age of 10. FOP is a genetic disease. The bone growth progresses from the top downward, just as bones grow in fetuses.

A child with FOP will typically develop bones starting at the neck, then on the shoulders, arms, chest area and finally on the feet. Specifically, FOP involvement is typically seen first in the dorsal, axial, cranial and proximal regions of the body. Later the disease progresses in the ventral, appendicular, caudal and distal regions of the body.

However it does not necessarily occur in this order due to injury-caused flare-ups. Often, the tumor-like lumps that characterize the disease appear suddenly.

[Rusty666]

interesting

[Pie]

Fucking creepy

[banana dick]

what a terrible disease. one of them is just a wee baby

[GlassToTheArson]

Oh man that is insane. Certainly one of the more fascinating disorders I've ever seen. I wonder if the formations are painful or just incredibly inconvenient?

[Lambiesinclair]

absolute nightmare !

[Cosmos]

Imagine my surprise when I Google this because a guy I've been seeing has it, and it's on DR. I've been a lurker here for years. Haha. Sorry to necro the thread.

[Wren]

Cool.

[Grateful2notbeU]

If only I could get this to happen to my penis.... alas