A 63-year-old man seeking treatment for knee pain was stunned to learn about an unexpected diagnosis: “penile ossification.” This rare condition, where bone-like tissue forms in the penis, was detected during an X-ray of his hip. The patient had sought medical help at a New York City hospital for knee pain following a fall in 2019. Despite no head injury or loss of consciousness, further tests revealed the unusual condition.
Doctors initially referred him for an X-ray of the hip to exclude fractures or related issues causing his knee pain. Instead, the scan revealed significant calcification in the soft tissues of the penis, known as “extraskeletal bone.”
Penile ossification is a rare phenomenon where calcium deposits form along the shaft of the penis, creating a plaque-like structure. Fewer than 40 cases have been documented, according to the Urology Case Report.
This condition can be linked to Peyronie’s disease, trauma, or metabolic disorders such as diabetes and end-stage renal disease, as noted by Science Alert. Peyronie’s disease involves the formation of fibrous scar tissue, which can cause painful erections and curvature.
In this case, the man did not exhibit common symptoms like discharge or swelling. After his diagnosis, he chose to leave the hospital against medical advice and declined further tests or treatments.
Treatment for penile ossification varies depending on the severity and symptoms. Asymptomatic cases might only require monitoring, while those with pain or erectile dysfunction could benefit from pain medications, topical creams, injections, or surgery.
It’s important to note that the information provided is based on various reports, and News18 does not guarantee its accuracy.
