In the end, though, FOP is fatal. One common cause of death is cardiorespiratory failure, as the heart and lungs eventually can't function within a constrictive armor of bone. The average lifespan for FOP patients is 56 years.

How long can you live with FOP?

Some people go months or even years without a flare-up. FOP can become severely disabling. Most people with FOP will need a wheelchair by the time they reach their late 20s. The median lifespan for people with FOP is 40 years .

Will FOP get worse does it ever stop or go away?

Does it ever stop or just go away? Unfortunately, FOP does not improve over time. The “P” in FOP stands for “Progressiva”. That means that FOP will progress, or get worse, as a person ages.