Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, also known as FOP, is one of the rarest and most debilitating genetic bone diseases known to medicine. FOP causes muscles, tendons, ligaments and other connective tissues to turn into bone. Movement becomes restricted in affected areas of the body. People with FOP typically have malformed toes at birth, meaning the big toe is usually shorter than normal and abnormally turned outward in a position called valgus deviation. Symptoms of FOP begin to appear in early childhood. Most people with FOP develop painful tumor-like swellings, also called fibrous nodules. Fibrous nodules are visible on the neck, shoulders and back. When a patient begins to generate new bone, what doctors call a flare; this causes tissue swelling and joint stiffness. Flare-ups can last up to 6 to 8 weeks. Additionally, during a flare-up, patients may experience a low-grade fever, primarily because the fever is part of an inflammatory response. In most cases, fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva goes undiagnosed. One of the most common missed diagnoses is cancer due to the tumor looking like knots. When doctors try to remove the “tumor,” they cause more damage because flare-ups usually develop after a person experiences trauma to the body, such as trauma. fall, small bump or even small purse. Illnesses such as the flu can also trigger flare-ups. In one case of FOP, they did so much damage that they had to remove the patient's arm. Experts estimate that the misdiagnosis rate for FOP can be 80% or more. FOP occurs randomly and is not hereditary. Experts believe that one of the causes of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva arises from mutations in the ACVR gene, which provides the body with instructions...... middle of article ...... At that time, the physical therapy was recommended. Erin eventually learned to roll over, sit up on her own, and walk throughout physical therapy. However, these steps were significantly delayed and his balance was still unbalanced. Erin took a horrible fall off the couch and landed on her front. It was still swollen from the “allergic reaction” the month before. A CT scan showed no bone fractures, but the goose egg that had developed took months to disappear. In 2008, she was officially diagnosed with FOP. Ashley Kurpiel lives in Georgia. She was adopted at nine weeks old. Just before the age of 3, he was misdiagnosed with cancer and his right arm/shoulder was amputated. Five months after his amputation, he was correctly diagnosed with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, or more commonly known as FOP. She is the only amputee with FOP.